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Competitive Prices as Profit-Maximizing Cartel Prices

Author

Listed:
  • Harold Houba

    (VU University Amsterdam)

  • Evgenia Motchenkova

    (VU University Amsterdam)

  • Quan Wen

    (Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

This discussion paper has resulted in a publication in Economics Letters , 2012, 114, 39-42. Even under antitrust enforcement, firms may still form a cartel in an infinitely-repeated oligopoly model when the discount factor is sufficiently close to one. We present a linear oligopoly model where the profit-maximizing cartel price converges to the competitive equilibrium price as the discount factor goes to one. We then identify a set of necessary conditions for this seemingly counter-intuitive result.

Suggested Citation

  • Harold Houba & Evgenia Motchenkova & Quan Wen, 2010. "Competitive Prices as Profit-Maximizing Cartel Prices," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 10-047/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20100047
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joseph E. Harrington, 2005. "Optimal Cartel Pricing In The Presence Of An Antitrust Authority," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 46(1), pages 145-169, February.
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    6. Dewatripont,Mathias & Hansen,Lars Peter & Turnovsky,Stephen J. (ed.), 2003. "Advances in Economics and Econometrics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521818742.
    7. Dewatripont,Mathias & Hansen,Lars Peter & Turnovsky,Stephen J. (ed.), 2003. "Advances in Economics and Econometrics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521524117.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Antitrust enforcement; Cartel; Oligopoly; Repeated game;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies
    • C7 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory

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