Grandiloquent Bloviator

Like Tyler Cowen for the C-students

Monopsony

2011-07-05
Via Daring Fireball, I learned the new word of the day. No, this isn't what George Michael was writing in lipstick across Kathy Jeung's back in the video for "I Want Your Sex."

Will monopsony become the new monopoly, ferreted out by jealous market participants and powerful government agencies, in order to hobble market leaders and reign them back to within a competitive distance?  Will Apple pay for its buying power in this decade the way Microsoft did for its alleged selling power in the last?

Incidentally, although I just learned the word today, this concept is what always worried me about the federal prescription drug program and even Medicare/Medicaid in its various forms:  when the government becomes essentially the only buyer of drugs and medical services, they won't have to legislate price controls.  They'll be able to bring them about by brute force.
Labels: Economics, Tech

Trey Miller

For the last twenty years, I've been trying to talk less. And now, this. Please send comments, suggestions, or feedback to t@grandiloquentbloviator.com.

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