The Effects of Taxation, Price Control and Government Contracts in Oligopoly and Monopolistic Competition

Many government contracts with or policies towards oligopolistic sectors essentially involve private firms selling a given proportion (O), or quantity, of output to the government at a fixed price (pR) with the remainder being sold on the open-market. Often this is combined with consumer rationing. Examples include cement and sugar in India, and health, housing and defence in many countries. The paper investigates the effects of these schemes (including sales and excise taxation) on prices, output and household welfare under oligopoly and monopolistic competition. Less government control (reduced 0) may raise prices and tax shifting can be above or below IO0 percent.