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Aggregation and Imperfect Competition: On the Existence of Equilibrium

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Caplin

    (Columbia University)

  • Barry Nalebuff

    (Yale School of Management)

Abstract

We present a new approach to the theory of imperfect competition and apply it to study price competition among differentiated products. The central result provides general conditions under which there exists a pure strategy price equilibrium for any number of firms producing any set of products. This includes products with multi-dimensional attributes. In addition to the proof of existence, we provide conditions for uniqueness. Our analysis covers location models, the characteristic approach, and probabilistic choice together in a unified framework. To prove existence, we employ aggregation theorems due to Prekopa (1971) and Borell (1975). Our companion paper [CFDP 938] introduces these theorems and develops the application to super-majority voting rules.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Caplin & Barry Nalebuff, 1990. "Aggregation and Imperfect Competition: On the Existence of Equilibrium," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 937, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:937
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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