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The Origin of the Sylos Postulate: Modigliani's and Sylos Labini's Contributions to Oligopoly Theory

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  • Rancan, Antonella

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    Abstract

    Paolo Sylos Labini's Oligopoly Theory and Technical Progress (1957) is considered one of the major contributions to entry-prevention models, especially after Franco Modigliani's famous formalization. Nonetheless, Modigliani neglected Labini's major aim when reviewing his work (JPE, 1958), particularly his demonstration of the dynamic relation between industrial concentration and economic development. Modigliani addressed only Sylos' microeconomic analysis and the determination of the long-run equilibrium price and output, concentrating on the role played by firms' anticipations. By doing so he shifted attention from Sylos' objective analysis to a subjective approach to oligopoly problem. This paper discusses Sylos' and Modigliani's differing approaches, derives the origin of the Sylos postulate and sets Modigliani's interpretation of Sylos' oligopoly theory in the context of his 1950s research into firms' behaviour under uncertainty.

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    Bibliographic Info

    Paper provided by University of Molise, Dept. SEGeS in its series Economics & Statistics Discussion Papers with number esdp12070.

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    Length: 18
    Date of creation: 19 Nov 2012
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    Handle: RePEc:mol:ecsdps:esdp12070

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    Keywords: Modigliani; Sylos Labini; Sylos Postulate; Oligopoly Theory;

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    1. Franco Modigliani, 1959. "New Developments on the Oligopoly Front: Reply," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 67, pages 418.
    2. Franco Modigliani, 1958. "New Developments on the Oligopoly Front," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 66, pages 215.
    3. Franklin M. Fisher, 1959. "New Developments on the Oligopoly Front: Cournot and the Bain-Sylos Analysis," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 67, pages 410.
    4. Donald E. Farrar & Charles F. Phillips & Jr., 1959. "New Developments on the Oligopoly Front: A Comment," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 67, pages 414.
    5. Alessandro Roncaglia, 2007. "Il pensiero economico di Paolo Sylos Labini," Economia & Lavoro, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, issue 3, pages 23.
    6. George J. Stigler, 1947. "The Kinky Oligopoly Demand Curve and Rigid Prices," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 55, pages 432.
    7. Osborne, D K, 1973. "On the Rationality of Limit Pricing," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(1), pages 71-80, September.
    8. Roger Sherman & Thomas D. Willett, 1967. "Potential Entrants Discourage Entry," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 75, pages 400.
    9. Pyatt, F Graham, 1971. "Profit Maximisation and the Threat of New Entry," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 81(322), pages 242-55, June.
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