Final answer:
Understanding oligopoly is important because it can generate a range of market outcomes between monopoly and perfect competition. While few real-world markets are oligopolies, their existence raises interesting theoretical questions. Analyzing choices in oligopolistic firms involves considering competition versus collusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oligopoly is an important concept to understand because it has implications for various market outcomes. Oligopolies can generate a range of possible outcomes between a monopoly and perfect competition. While few real-world markets are oligopolies, their existence raises interesting theoretical questions. In addition, analyzing the choices of oligopolistic firms involves considering the pros and cons of competition versus collusion.