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What is Perfect Competition?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Also known as pure competition, perfect competition is a situation in which a number of business entities compete for the attention of consumers, but there is no single company that dominates that market to the point of setting the standards in terms of pricing. Markets with this type of condition normally have large numbers of sellers who are capable of meeting the needs of a sizable consumer market, and actively compete with one another for the business of those consumers. Considered the opposite of a monopoly, a situation of perfect competition essentially means that all the businesses engaged in the market are free to set their own prices, without any one company setting the general market price.

There are several advantages to the existence of a perfect competition situation within a given consumer market. One has to do with the options open to customers. With a number of smaller companies offering similar products, the consumer is free to pick and choose from any of them, in order to satisfy his or her needs. This situation empowers the consumer, who does not have to make do with one or two brands of the desired product, but can try multiple products when and as desired. Since markets with perfect competition tend to be easier to break into, the influx of new providers means the consumer can enjoy additional options over the course of time.

Businesswoman talking on a mobile phone
Businesswoman talking on a mobile phone

An advantage of perfect competition for businesses is the ability to set their own prices, rather than establishing price structures based on the pricing offered by one or two companies that dominate the market place. This can allow a company to target niches within the market that are more likely to pay the unit price the company needs to make in order to remain profitable. In a monopoly situation, this would be extremely difficult to manage, and would probably drive the smaller company out of business in a very short period of time.

Along with the benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks associated with perfect competition. A marketplace that contains an abundance of options for the consumer can be intimidating to customers, especially those who are not interested in trying different brands. When this is the case, the potential for earning and keeping the business of each consumer is diminished, a factor that can ultimately limit the entry of new companies into the marketplace.

The lack of a single company that is large enough to drive market prices may also mean there is no single company that sets standards for the goods and services associated with that marketplace. As a result, the quality of products may vary greatly, even as the pricing varies. This means that goods that are of high quality may be offered along with similar products that are vastly inferior. Industry watchdogs who focus on quality as key to the reputation of the industry in general are likely to find this condition unhealthy.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

Perfect competition is not a very realistic theory. It doesn't account for issues like innovation, uniqueness of the product and numerous different strategies that manufacturers use to increase their sales and profits. Perfect competition assumes that everyone always plays by the rules. I don't think this type of competition exists in actuality.

serenesurface

@SteamLouis-- That's a good question. I'm not an economist and I can't say that I understand perfect competition thoroughly. But I think that prices vary greatly when a market is in pure competition. Since new firms are constantly entering the market and they can set their own prices, there are bound to be goods at both low and high prices.

If we had to give a definite answer about prices, I would say that prices would be a little lower in perfect competition than in a monopoly. But it won't be too low because as prices fall, profit will decrease and some firms will be forced to leave the market.

SteamLouis

In a perfect competition, are the prices of goods generally lower or higher than in a monopoly?

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