Natural Monopoly

Exclusive Control Over a Key Resource

Government-Created Monopolies

Barriers to Entry

Match each scenario with the primary factor that gives rise to the described market structure.

Sources and Implications of Monopoly Power

Pharmaceutical Market Power

A single company is the sole provider of residential electricity for an entire metropolitan area. It is not feasible for a competing company to build a second set of power lines and infrastructure to serve the same customers, as the average cost per customer would be significantly higher if the market were split. Which of the following best explains the primary source of this company's market power?

Market Power from Resource Control

A firm that holds an exclusive government patent for a new medical device is classified as a natural monopoly because its cost structure makes it inherently more efficient for it to be the sole producer.

Sustaining Market Dominance in Tech

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a firm's market power originating from a government-created barrier to entry?

Strategic Barrier to Entry

A technology firm invents a new, highly efficient data compression algorithm and is granted a 20-year patent by the government. This legal protection prevents any other firm from using this specific algorithm. The firm quickly becomes the sole provider of software using this technology. Which of the following is the primary source of this firm's market power?

Historical Examples of Government-Granted Monopolies