The theory of perfect markets

5 important questions on The theory of perfect markets

First welfare theorem

any perfectly competitive market equilibruim is Pareto-optimal. As long as producers and consumers act as price takers and there is a market for every commodity, the equilibrium allocation of resources is Pareto-efficient --> invisible hand

Second welfare theorem

Every Pareto optimum can be obtained as a competitive general equilibrium given some distribution of initial endowments to economic agents

Arguments defending the ideal of perfect markets (Hausman)

- individual well-being identified with satisfaction of actual preferences
- moral principle of minimal benevolence
- competitive equilibriums are Pareto-efficient
- All Pareto- efficient states of affairs can be obtained as competitive general equilibria given the right initial distribution of endowments to individuals

--> perfectly competitive economies morally desirable, market failures morally bad
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Doubts perfect markts/competition

- strong assumption rationality
- welfare theorem is based on Pareto criterion, is subject to moral criticisms
- second welfare theorem does not always meet the Pareto criterion (incoherent with principles that underpin the first welfare theorem)
- institutional reforms may be inconsistent with the Pareto criterion
- information needed to calculate the required initial distribution of endowments is very hard to get
- politically very difficult to redistribute resouces among people by non-distorting taxes

Perfect competitive markets satisfy efficiency in 3 aspects:

- efficient distribution of products among consumers
- efficiency in the use of different production factors
- effiency in output

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