Microeconomics
Microeconomics
5th Edition
ISBN: 9781319098780
Author: Paul Krugman, Robin Wells
Publisher: Worth Publishers
Question
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Chapter 12, Problem aWYWL
To determine

To define:

Perfect competition and why economists consider it to be an important benchmark.

Concept Introduction:

Perfect competition:

Perfect competition is a market structure where competition is at its greatest possible level. It has a large number of buyers and sellers, each firm produces a homogenous product, there is free entry and exit of firms, and absolutely there is no advertisement cost.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Perfect competition is considered by economists as a bench for three reasons.

Allocative efficiency:

In both short-run and long-run, price is equal to the marginal cost and thus allocative efficiency is achieved. Moreover, at this price, the consumer and producer surplus are maximized.

Productive efficiency:

This occurs when the equilibrium output is supplied at a minimum average cost and this is attained in the long-run for a competitive market.

Economic efficiency:

The long-run of perfect competition exhibits optimal level of economic efficiency, and for this to be achieved, all of the conditions of perfection competition must hold true.

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