monopoler

Monopoler, commonly translated as monopolies, describe market situations in which a single seller provides a good or service with no close substitutes. In such markets the firm typically possesses substantial market power to set prices and output, and entry by competitors is blocked or severely limited by barriers such as capital requirements, access controls, economies of scale, or legal rights.

Monopolies can arise in several forms. Natural monopolies occur when average costs fall as output grows, making a single provider more efficient. Legal or patent monopolies are created by government grants or intellectual property rights. Geographic monopolies exist when demand is concentrated in a small area, while state-owned monopolies are run by public authorities in strategic sectors.

Economic effects of monopolies include higher prices and reduced consumer choice, along with lower output relative to competitive benchmarks. These conditions can create deadweight losses. In some cases, a monopoly may spur innovation or large-scale investments, particularly in natural monopolies, but the overall welfare impact depends on regulation, duration, and market dynamics.

Policy responses aim to preserve competition or constrain market power. Instruments include competition laws and antitrust enforcement, price regulation, access requirements for essential facilities, and, in some places, public ownership or franchising. Regulators often use measures such as price caps or the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index to assess market concentration.

Measuring monopolies involves concentration indicators and market shares. Notable historical monopolies have shaped policy debates, such as those in the oil, telecommunications, and technology sectors. The term monopoler appears in some languages as the plural form of monopoly.