One difference between monopolistic competition and perfect competition is that

Perfect competition and monopolistic competition are two types of economic markets.

Similarities

One of the key similarities that perfectly competitive and monopolistically competitive markets share is elasticity of demand in the long-run. In both circumstances, the consumers are sensitive to price; if price goes up, demand for that product decreases. The two only differ in degree. Firm's individual demand curves in perfectly competitive markets are perfectly elastic, which means that an incremental increase in price will cause demand for a product to vanish ). Demand curves in monopolistic competition are not perfectly elastic: due to the market power that firms have, they are able to raise prices without losing all of their customers.

One difference between monopolistic competition and perfect competition is that

Demand curve in a perfectly competitive market

This is the demand curve in a perfectly competitive market. Note how any increase in price would wipe out demand.

Also, in both sets of circumstances the suppliers cannot make a profit in the long-run. Ultimately, firms in both markets will only be able to break even by selling their goods and services.

Both markets are composed of firms seeking to maximize their profits. In both of these markets, profit maximization occurs when a firm produces goods to such a level so that its marginalcosts of production equals its marginal revenues.

Differences

One key difference between these two set of economic circumstances is efficiency. A perfectly competitive market is perfectly efficient. This means that the price is Pareto optimal, which means that any shift in the price would benefit one party at the expense of the other. The overall economic surplus, which is the sum of the producer and consumer surpluses, is maximized. The suppliers cannot influence the price of the good or service in question; the market dictates the price. The price of the good or service in a perfectly competitive market is equal to the marginal costs of manufacturing that good or service.

In a monopolistically competitive market the price is higher than the marginal cost of producing the good or service and the suppliers can influence the price, granting them market power. This decreases the consumer surplus, and by extension the market's economic surplus, and creates deadweight loss.

Another key difference between the two is product differentiation. In a perfectly competitive market products are perfect substitutes for each other. But in monopolistically competitive markets the products are highly differentiated. In fact, firms work hard to emphasize the non-price related differences between their products and their competitors'.

A final difference involves barriers to entry and exit. Perfectly competitive markets have no barriers to entry and exit; a firm can freely enter or leave an industry based on its perception of the market's profitability. In a monopolistic competitive market there are few barriers to entry and exit, but still more than in a perfectly competitive market.

One difference between monopolistic competition and perfect competition is that
The term market can be described as any place where buyers and sellers meet, directly or through dealers, to conclude transactions. There are three types of market structure, i.e. perfect competition, monopoly and imperfect competition. Further imperfect competition can be of two types: Monopolistic competition and oligopoly. In perfect competition, the product sold by different firms is identical, but in monopolistic competition, the firms sold near substitute products.

The equilibrium position of these market are reached in different circumstances and are based on revenues earned and cost incurred. In the article provided to you, we’ve simplified the differences between perfect competition and monopolistic competition.

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonPerfect CompetitionMonopolistic Competition
Meaning A market structure, where there are many sellers selling similar goods to the buyers, is perfect competition. Monopolistic Competition is a market structure, where there are numerous sellers, selling close substitute goods to the buyers.
Product Standardized Differentiated
Price Determined by demand and supply forces, for the whole industry. Every firm offer products to customers at its own price.
Entry and Exit No barrier Few barriers
Demand Curve slope Horizontal, perfectly elastic. Downward sloping, relatively elastic.
Relation between AR and MR AR = MR AR > MR
Situation Unrealistic Realistic

Definition of Perfect Competition

The market structure in which there are numerous sellers in the market, offering similar goods that are produced using a standard method and each firm has complete information regarding the market and price, is known as a perfectly competitive market. The entry and exit to such a market are free. It is a theoretical situation of the market, where the competition is at its peak.

The firms are price takers in this market structure, and so, they do not have their own pricing policy. The individual buyers and sellers have no control over the prices. Therefore, the sellers have to accept the price ascertained by the demand and supply forces of the market and sell the product, as much as they can at the price prevailing in the market. As the product offered for sale is identical in all respects, no firm can increase the price than that of prevailing in the market, because if a firm increases its price, then it will lose all the demand, to the competitors.

Definition of Monopolistic Competition

Monopolistic Competition refers to a type of market structure, where the number of sellers selling similar but not exactly identical products, is large. The product or service offered for sale in a monopolistic competition are close substitutes for one another. Such a market contains the features of both monopoly and perfect competition and is found in the real world situation. The salient features of a monopolistic competition are given below:

  • It is a non-price competition. The firms are price makers, and so every firm has its own pricing policy, and thus the sellers are free to make decisions regarding the price and output, on the basis of the product.
  • The entry and exit, into and out of the industry are easy because of fewer barriers.
  • Product differentiation exists in a monopolistic competition, where the products are distinguished from each other on the basis of brands.
  • Highly elastic demand curve.

Key Differences Between Perfect Competition and Monopolistic Competition

The basic differences between perfect competition and monopolistic competition are indicated in the following points:

  1. A market structure, where there are many sellers selling similar goods to the buyers, is perfect competition. A market structure, where there are numerous sellers, selling close substitute goods to the buyers, is monopolistic competition.
  2. In perfect competition, the product offered is standardised whereas in monopolistic competition product differentiation is there.
  3. In perfect competition, the demand and supply forces determine the price for the whole industry and every firm sells its product at that price. In monopolistic competition, every firm offers products at its own price.
  4. Entry and Exit are comparatively easy in perfect competition than in monopolistic competition.
  5. The slope of the demand curve is horizontal, which shows perfectly elastic demand. On the other hand, in monopolistic competition, the demand curve is downward sloping which represents the relatively elastic demand.
  6. Average revenue (AR) and marginal revenue (MR) curve coincide with each other in perfect competition. Conversely, in monopolistic competition, average revenue is greater than the marginal revenue, i.e. to increase sales the firm has to lower down its price.
  7. Perfect competition is an imaginary situation which does not exist in reality. Unlike, monopolistic competition, that exists practically.

Conclusion

After reviewing the above points, it is quite clear that perfect competition and monopolistic competition are different, where monopolistic competition has features of both monopoly and perfect competition. The principal difference between these two is that in the case of perfect competition the firms are price takers, whereas in monopolistic competition the firms are price makers.

What is a difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition?

In perfect competition, firms produce identical goods, while in monopolistic competition, firms produce slightly different goods.

What is the main difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition quizlet?

What is the difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition? In perfect competition, firms produce identical goods. While monopolistic competition firms produce slightly different goods.

Which is the main difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition brainly?

In perfect competition, the products are identical in shape, size, quality etc. whereas, in monopolistic competition the products are differentiated according to colour, size, brand etc. Firm, in perfect competition, determines the price while firms under monopolistic competition can partly control market price.

What is the difference between competition and perfect competition?

According to Chamberlin, pure competition means “competition unalloyed with monopoly elements,” whereas perfect competition involves “perfection in many other respects than in the absence of monopoly”.