Question

Sources of monopoly power A monopolist, unlike a competitive firm, has some market power. It can raise its price, within limits, without the quantity demanded falling to zero The main way it retains its market power is through barriers to entry-that is, other companies cannot enter the market to create competition in that particular industry Complete the following table by indicating which barrier to entry appropriately explains why a monopoly exists in each scenario.

Exclusive
Ownership Government-
of a Key Created Economies
Resource Monopolies of Sale
Patents are granted to inventors of a product
or process for a certain number of years. The
reason for this is to encourage innovation in the
economy. Without the existence of patents, it is
argued, research and development for improved
electronics is unlikely to take place, since there’s
nothing preventing another firm from stealing the
idea, copying the product, and producing it without
incurring the development costs.
Throughout much of the 20th century, many people
viewed South Africa’s De Beers Group as a monopoly
because it controlled a large percentage of diamond
production and sales.
In the electricity industry, low average total costs are
obtained only through large-scale production. In other
words, the initial cost of setting up all the necessary
wiring makes it risky and, most likely, unprofitable for
competitors to enter the market.

Answer 1

1. Patents are granted to inventors of a product or process for a certain number of years. The reason for this is to encourage innovation in the economy. Without the existence of patents, it is argued, research and development for improved electronics is unlikely to take place, since there’s nothing preventing another firm from stealing the idea, copying the product, and producing it without incurring the development costs.

Government Created Monopoly.

Patents protect the intellectual property of a person or entity and prevent others from taking it and using it without rewarding the people who came up with it. The owners of the parents are able to dictate the selling of the resource and as such have a monopoly over it. Patents are granted by the government which makes this a Government created Monopoly.

2. Throughout much of the 20th century, many people viewed South Africa’s De Beers Group as a monopoly because it controlled a large percentage of diamond production and sales.

Ownership of Key Economic Resource.

As early as 1902, De Beers controlled 90% of the world's diamond production and under the leadership of J P Morgan, consolidated control over the diamond industry. They controlled many mines and also bought diamonds from other producers allowing them to control the diamond trade. Even though their control has waned of late, they still control around 35% of the world's diamond production which is a very significant percentage.

3. In the electricity industry, low average total costs are obtained only through large-scale production. In other words, the initial cost of setting up all the necessary wiring makes it risky and, most likely, unprofitable for competitors to enter the market.

Economies of Scale

To survive in the Electricity industry the company would need to have an extensive network to permit them to benefit from Economies of Scale. This can be very difficult to set up so companies stay away from the industry thereby creating a monopoly for those already in it.