árkorlátok

Árkorlátok, or price caps, are a form of government intervention in the economy that sets a maximum price at which a good or service can be sold. The purpose of imposing price caps is typically to protect consumers from excessively high prices, especially for essential goods or services during times of shortage or rapid inflation. They are often implemented for goods like rent, food staples, or utilities.

When a price cap is set below the market equilibrium price, it can lead to a shortage. This is because at the lower price, the quantity demanded by consumers will exceed the quantity supplied by producers. Producers may find it unprofitable to supply the good or service at the capped price, leading to reduced production or withdrawal from the market. This can result in queues, rationing, or the development of black markets where goods are sold illegally at prices above the cap.

Conversely, if a price cap is set above the market equilibrium price, it has no effect on the market outcome. The price will naturally settle at the equilibrium level, and the cap will be non-binding. The effectiveness and consequences of price caps are a subject of ongoing debate among economists, with arguments centering on their impact on market efficiency, consumer welfare, and producer incentives. While they can offer short-term relief to consumers, they can also lead to unintended negative consequences in the long run.