Quantitative indexes for direct control of monopolies on different hierarchical levels of economy

Abstract

The evidence base of proving that a monopoly uses its market power is a problem that has no unambiguous solution. Lack of clarity in antitrust legislation is a long term problem. A part of the problem is impossibility to elaborate a theory and quantitative indexes for a monopoly control, which would be used for juridical practice. This paper presents an attempt to solve this problem proposing new quantitative indexes of a monopoly control. To do this, we used the cumulative market imperfection model of macroeconomic dynamics (CMI-model) that is based on comparison of perfect and imperfect competition both for separate markets and economy as a whole. Within framework of the model there is a possibility to calculate natural (competitive) price that correspond to perfect competition even, if such competition never was establish in real market. Difference between natural and actual market price characterizes the rate of market imperfection and could be used for the monopoly power estimation. We proposed two types of quantitative indexes to control a monopoly. First type estimates the value of monopoly power, second type – impact degree of this power. It makes us possible to control monopoly on different hierarchical levels: firm, sector of economy, economy as a whole. Besides, there are some more competitive advantages of proposed indexes: 1)monitor indexes in dynamics, i.e. we are able to estimate in real time both the fact of a monopoly power usage and impact degree of this power; 2) to separate innovative component from production cost of monopolist; 3) to demonstrate the monopoly power impact on period and amplitude of economic cycle; 4) to control monopoly in a permanent mode, actually “on-line”, but not in a discrete mode as it could be done in standard methods. Additionally, proposed indexes do not require confidential information about firm’s activity.