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Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:
The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.
In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.
How do oligopolies work?
It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.
Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.
Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.
Q. Why do firms agree to collude?
  • a)
    To restrict the entry of new firm.
  • b)
    To make it profitable for them.
  • c)
    To influence the market price like the monopolist.
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that f...
Collusion is a way for firms to make higher profits at the expense of consumers and reduces the competitiveness of the market.
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Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Commerce 2024 is part of Commerce preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Commerce exam syllabus. Information about Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Commerce 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Commerce. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Commerce Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:The biggest reason why oligopolies exist is collaboration. Firms see more economic benefits in collaborating on a specific price than in trying to compete with their competitors. By controlling prices, oligopolies are able to raise their barriers to entry and protect themselves from new potential entrants into the market. This is quite important, as new firms may offer much lower prices and thus jeopardize the longevity of the colluding firms’ profits.In most markets, antitrust laws exist that aim to prevent price collusion and protect consumers. Nonetheless, firms have devised ways to achieve price collusion without being detected by regulators. For example, firms might elect a price leader that is tasked with leading changes in prices before other firms follow suit in order to “react to competition”. Firms may also agree to change their prices on specific dates; in such cases, the changes may be seen as merely a reaction to economic conditions such as fluctuations in inflation.How do oligopolies work?It is important to note that in real-life oligopolies, the games (instances of collusion) are sequential; meaning that one firm’s behaviour in one game may influence the game’s outcome in future periods. In this scenario, we see that the optimal outcome that generates the most cumulative profits occurs if both firms collude. This situation would be the best long-run equilibrium situation that would provide the most benefit to all the firms.Nonetheless, in this equilibrium, firms have an incentive to cheat and not collude. For example, if both firms agree to set a price of $10, but Firm A cheats and sets prices at $5, Firm A will essentially capture the entire market (assuming little to no differentiation). While this may result in high profits for Firm A in this game, Firm B now knows that Firm A is a cheater and thus will never collude again.Therefore, the new equilibrium would be the one where neither firm collude and achieve profits that would occur under perfect competition (which is significantly less profitable than colluding). Thus, to realize the best long-run profits, firms in an oligopoly choose to collude.Q. Why do firms agree to collude?a)To restrict the entry of new firm.b)To make it profitable for them.c)To influence the market price like the monopolist.d)All of themCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Commerce tests.
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