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The Economics of Books

Author

Listed:
  • Canoy, M.F.M.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • van Ours, J.C.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • van der Ploeg, F.

Abstract

This chapter analyses the tensions between books and book markets as expressions of culture and books as products in profit-making businesses and includes insights from the theory of industrial organisation. Governments intervene in the market for books through laws concerning prices of books, grants for authors and publishers, a lower value-added tax, public libraries and education in order to stimulate the diversity of books on offer, increase the density of retail outlets and promote reading. An overview of the different ways by which countries differ in terms of market structures and government policies is given. Particular attention is paid to retail price maintenance. Due to differences between European countries it is not a good idea to harmonise European book policies. Our analysis suggests that the book market seems quite able to invent solutions to specific problems of the book trade and that, apart from promoting reading, there is little need for government intervention.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Canoy, M.F.M. & van Ours, J.C. & van der Ploeg, F., 2005. "The Economics of Books," Discussion Paper 2005-13, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiucen:95f0e505-7338-4730-8b94-675c995e7fab
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    books; publishers; authors; diversity; monopolistic competition; retail price maintenance; subsidies; libraries; Internet;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z19 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Other

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