Monopolistic Competition
Assumptions Many buyers and a “large-ish” number of sellers Sellers are price-makers (i.e. have market power) to some extent in the short run Differentiated products Freedom of entry and exit
Short Run Equilibrium: Firm MC P q Demand MR
Short Run Equilibrium: Firm MC Output: MC = MR P qmc q Demand MR
Short Run Equilibrium: Firm MC Price is Pmc P Pmc qmc q Demand MR
Short Run Equilibrium: Firm MC Note: Pmc > AC at qmc Excess profits exist (in the short run) P AC Pmc q qmc Demand MR
Long Run Equilibrium: Firm MC Note: Pmc = AC at Ymc P There are no excess economic profits in the long run Pmc AC qmc q Demand MR
Monopolistic Competition v. Perfect Competition v. Monopoly Homework