Prisrealisme

Prisrealisme is a term used in Dutch-language economic and public policy discourse to describe a stance toward pricing that ties listed prices to real costs and consumer value, rather than to marketing strategies or speculative demand. The central idea is that prices should reflect production costs, capital needs, and the real purchasing power of households, while accounting for inflation and income distribution. Proponents argue that price realism promotes affordability, fairness, and sustainable markets, and helps prevent price increases that are detached from underlying value.

Origins and scope: The phrase has appeared in Dutch economic debates since the late 20th century, often in discussions of inflation, consumer protection, and fair competition. It is not a formal economic school but a framing device used to critique pricing practices that seem disconnected from real economic fundamentals. In practice, prisrealisme can influence debates on retail pricing, public procurement, and regulatory policy, including discussions about price transparency and caps.

Core ideas: Prices should reflect real costs and perceived value, ensuring long-run viability for producers and accessibility for consumers. It emphasizes inflation-adjusted pricing, fairness across income groups, and clear justification for price levels. Transparency in how prices are set is often linked to the appeal of prisrealisme.

Critique: Critics argue that pricing is inherently dynamic and often driven by competition, brand value, and demand elasticity, which may justify deviations from strictly real-cost pricing. Defenders acknowledge measurement difficulties in determining a single “real” price and note that a strict real-cost approach could dampen innovation and efficiency.

See also: Real price, Cost-based pricing, Inflation, Pricing strategy.