卡特尔和垄断之间的差异

卡特尔与垄断

一个自由的市场economy is an economy in which all firms will have equal opportunities for fair trade of goods and services. Such economies experience higher competition within their various industries which result in better quality products and lower prices. However, there are instances in which market places do not experience fair competition, and end up being controlled by one large firm or a group/organization of firms/countries. The article takes a closer look at two such market places, monopolies and cartels. The article clearly explains each concept and highlights how they are similar or different to one another and the disadvantages of market places that are exposed to monopolies and cartels.

What is a Monopoly?

A monopoly is a market in which one single large firm will control the entire market for a particular product or service. A monopoly will have one large dominant player, and there will be very little competition for within the place which results in more control for the one player who may charge higher prices for low quality. Most countries have anti-monopoly organizations in place that are set up to protect the free market economies.

A monopoly is often times seen as unhealthy as it gives one large firm complete control over prices and quality of goods. Since the dominant player receives no competition, there is no need to improve product quality, improve efficiency (and thereby lower cost), or to meet consumer’s changing demands. A company may also enjoy monopolies for a given period of time, or enjoy a monopoly over a particular product. For example, oftentimes pharmaceutical companies and tech firms are granted patents on their innovations. This is generally given to allow time for the inventors to reap the benefits of the large research and development costs incurred. However, such patents can ensure that no other firm can produce that particular drug (or use that technology), which can act as a temporary monopoly. Certain government provided services such as utilities also enjoy monopolies, which are generally set up to centralize a streamline the provision of a particular service.

What is a Cartel?

卡特尔由特定产品或服务的一组个人，组织或生产商/供应商组成，并设置为控制生产，销售和定价。卡特尔是通过正式协议创建的，可能会导致对卡特尔成员市场场所的更高控制。卡特尔在世界大部分地区通常都是非法的，因为它们没有为健康且公平的竞争提供环境。卡特尔成员提出了彼此之间的协议，其中包括不相互竞争。卡特尔通常能够推动他们控制的产品/服务的价格远高于被认为是公平市场价格的数量。

众所周知的卡特尔的一个例子是控制全球石油价格的石油出口国（OPEC）。由于石油价格是任何国家经济健康的重要组成部分，因此这种控制对卡特尔成员国很大程度上有益，对世界其他地区的劣势是依赖此类国家的燃料需求的劣势。

What is the difference between Cartel and Monopoly?

Monopolies and cartels are quite similar to one another in that they both result in market places that have less competition, higher prices, and inferior quality goods and services. Monopolies and cartels are both equally harmful to free market places and result in consumers paying inflated prices for low quality necessities. The main difference between the two is that monopolies have only one dominant player whom single handedly controls the production, sales, and pricing of a particular product. A cartel is an organization that is formed by a number of companies selling a particular product and controls the market place for that particular product or service. In a monopoly, only one organization will benefit whereas, in a cartel, the entire group of cartel members will benefit. However, in either situation the consumer is the loser.

Summary:

卡特尔和垄断

• A monopoly is a market in which one single large firm will control the entire market for a particular product or service.

• A cartel is formed by a group of individuals, organizations, or producers/suppliers of a particular product or service and is set up to control production and sales and pricing.

• The main difference between the two is that monopolies have only one dominant player who single handedly controls the production, sales, and pricing of a particular product, whereas cartels are groups of such dominant organizations that work together to manipulate the market to their benefit.