📚 Learning Guide
Understanding Monopsonies
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In a monopsony, how does the labor market equilibrium differ from that in a competitive market, and what role can government intervention play in this context?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A monopsony has many buyers unlike a competitive market, and government intervention is not needed.

B

A monopsony has one buyer for many workers, leading to lower wages compared to a competitive market, and government intervention can help to raise wages.

C

A monopsony allows for higher wages due to reduced competition, and government intervention decreases overall welfare.

D

A monopsony operates similarly to a competitive market, with no need for government intervention.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

In a monopsony, there is only one major employer in the labor market, which gives that employer significant power over wages and hiring. Unlike a competitive market where many employers compete for workers, leading to higher wages, a monopsony can set lower wages because workers have fewer choices for employment. For example, if a small town has only one factory, the factory can pay lower wages because workers may feel they have no alternative jobs available. Government intervention can help in this situation by implementing minimum wage laws or regulations that promote fair pay, ensuring workers receive a livable wage even in a monopsonistic market. This intervention helps balance the power between employers and employees, leading to a more equitable labor market.

Detailed Explanation

In a monopsony, there is only one buyer for many workers. Other options are incorrect because This answer confuses monopsony with a competitive market; This option wrongly suggests that less competition leads to higher wages.

Key Concepts

competitive market comparison
government intervention in monopsonies
Topic

Understanding Monopsonies

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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