On the Existence of Cournot Equilibrium

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 1985
Volume: 52
Issue: 1
Pages: 85-98

Authors (1)

Score contribution per author:

8.043 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines the existence of n-firm Cournot equilibrium in a market for a single homogeneous commodity. It proves that if each firm's marginal revenue declines as the aggregate output of other firms increases (which is implied by concave inverse demand) then a Cournot equilibrium exists, without assuming that firms have nondecreasing marginal cost or identical technologies. Also, if the marginal revenue condition fails at a "potential optimal output", there is a set of firms such that no Cournot equilibrium exists. The paper also contains an example of nonexistence with two nonidentical firms, each with constant returns to scale production.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:52:y:1985:i:1:p:85-98.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26