cartel etymology

Etymology

Origin: Italian

Meaning: Bulletin, placard

Evolution:

  • 16th century: First used in English to refer to a large sheet of paper with printed or written announcements posted in public places.
  • 19th century: Took on a negative connotation, associating it with criminal organizations that used posters to communicate illicit activities.
  • 20th century: Became synonymous with drug cartels, powerful criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.

Meaning

A cartel is a group of producers, manufacturers, or suppliers who work together to control the supply or prices of a particular commodity or service. It is a form of collusion that can lead to monopolies or oligopolies, where a small number of companies have significant control over a market.

Characteristics:

  • Coordinated action: Members cooperate and agree on strategies to manipulate the market.
  • Market manipulation: Cartels use tactics such as price fixing, output restrictions, and exclusive dealing arrangements to control supply and demand.
  • Anti-competitive behavior: Cartels undermine competition by suppressing innovation and limiting consumer choice.

Types:

  • Horizontal cartel: Among producers or suppliers of similar products or services.
  • Vertical cartel: Involves different levels of the supply chain, such as manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Origin

Cartels have existed for centuries, but the term gained prominence in the late 19th century with the rise of industrial cartels in Europe and the United States. Governments often supported these cartels in exchange for stability and economic growth. However, antitrust laws and regulations were later enacted to prevent cartels from abusing their market power.

Notable examples:

  • OPEC: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, established to control the global oil market.
  • De Beers: Diamond monopoly that controlled the supply and price of rough diamonds.
  • Microsoft case: Antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft for using its operating system monopoly to harm competitors.

cartel relate terms

  • card

    Etymology The word card derives from the Latin word charta which originally meant

  • chart

    Etymology From Old French carte from Medieval Latin charta from Greek khartēs leaf

  • trust

    Etymology The word trust comes from the Old English word treowe which means faithf

  • trow

    Etymology The word trow comes from the Old Norse word trǫll meaning giant demon

  • true

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have cha

  • combine

    Etymology Meaning Origin abyss bottomless pit Greek acerbi

  • loop

    Etymology The word loop comes from the Middle English word lope which in turn comes

  • polo

    Etymology Polo is derived from the Balti word pulu meaning ball Origin Polo ori

  • pool

    Etymology The word pool originates from the Middle English word pol which is derive

  • syndicate

    Etymology The word syndicate comes from the Ancient Greek word συνδικός synd

  • strut

    Etymology Middle English strutte from Old English strutian to rove about ramble G

  • corporate

    Etymology The term corporate has its origins in the Latin word corpus meaning body

  • nostalgia

    Etymology The word nostalgia originates from two Greek words Nostos νόστος