🔹 Collusive Models
In these models, firms cooperate either formally or informally to reduce competition and maximize joint profits.
1. Cartel
Definition: A formal agreement among firms to coordinate pricing or output.
Types:
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Profit-Sharing Cartel: Firms agree on output/pricing to maximize total profit, then share it based on a formula.
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Market-Sharing Cartel: Firms divide the market geographically or by customers, but retain price independence.
Outcome:
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Functions like a monopoly.
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High prices and restricted output.
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Instability due to incentive to cheat.
2. Price Leadership
Definition: One dominant firm sets the price; others follow.
Types:
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Dominant Firm Price Leadership: The largest firm sets the price.
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Barometric Price Leadership: A firm with good market judgment becomes the price setter.
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Aggressive Price Leadership: A firm forces others to follow by cutting prices.
Outcome:
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Avoids open collusion.
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Price stability without explicit agreement.
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Smaller firms accept the leader’s pricing to avoid price wars.