Stable and unstable equilibrium, Managerial Economics

Assignment Help:

Stable and Unstable Equilibrium

An equilibrium is said to be stable equilibrium when economic forces tend to push the market towards it.  In other words, any divergence from the equilibrium position sets up forces, which tend to restore the equilibrium.  This is the case in the market for good X illustrated.

At prices above Ope, there is an excess supply which pushes the price down.  At prices below Ope there is an excess demand which pushes the price up.

Unstable equilibrium on the other hand is one such that any divergence from the equilibrium sets up forces which push the price further away from the equilibrium price.  Consider the figure below which illustrates the market for good Y, which has a demand curve sloping upwards from left to right.  Good Y might be an inferior good or a veblen good.

Price Ope is the equilibrium price and quantity Oqe is the equilibrium quantity.  The "abnormal" demand curve means that at prices above Ope there is excess demand which pushes the price upwards and away from the equilibrium.  Similarly, at prices below Ope, there is excess supply which pushes the prices even further down.

Thus, although equilibrium are states of rest at which no economic forces exist to change the situation, it is important to remember that not all equilibria are stable.  The equilibrium in the figure above is sometimes called a knife edge equilibrium because a small change in price sends the system well away from equilibrium.


Related Discussions:- Stable and unstable equilibrium

Explain maximising revenue method, Q. Explain Maximising revenue method? ...

Q. Explain Maximising revenue method? In a number of cases, a firm's demand and cost conditions are such that marginal profits are greater than zero for all levels of productio

Williamson model, williamson model and managerial discretion about its obje...

williamson model and managerial discretion about its objective and statement of problem

Review, # review of Article what can economic theory contribute to manageri...

# review of Article what can economic theory contribute to managerial economic#

Why do managers need to know economics?, Economics contributes a great deal...

Economics contributes a great deal with towards the performance of managerial duties and responsibilities. Just as biology donates to the medical profession and physics of engineer

Money markets, MONEY MARKETS The expression "money markets" is used ...

MONEY MARKETS The expression "money markets" is used to refer to the set of institutions and individuals who are engaged in the borrowing and lending of large sums of money

Super-comfort pillow, In the country of Sleep-well, the inhabitants' main a...

In the country of Sleep-well, the inhabitants' main activity is... sleeping. Despite the loss of productivity that this entails, the country has a profuse and renowned production o

Show the efficient method of production, Technically Efficient Method of Pr...

Technically Efficient Method of Production Let's suppose that commodity X is produced by two methods by employing capital and labour: Factor inputs Met

Demand, factors influencing the demand for dove soap

factors influencing the demand for dove soap

Me, In a one-shot game, if you advertise and your rival advertises, you wil...

In a one-shot game, if you advertise and your rival advertises, you will each earn RM5 million in profits. If neither of you advertises, your rival will make RM4 million and you w

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd