Question

What would need to be true for a demand curve to be upward sloping?

Short answer

The demand curve for a product would be upwards sloping if the good is a Giffen or Veblen good. As the price rises, the demand for these goods increases.

Step-by-step solution

Define Normal Demand Curve

Usually, the law of demand governs the demand curve, which states that as the price of a product increases, consumer demand decreases, and vice versa. By convention, this results in a downward sloping curve.

Understand Exceptional Products

There are, however, exceptional types of goods that don't follow the usual trends: Giffen and Veblen goods. Giffen goods are inferior goods that lack close substitutes and whose demand increases as prices rise. Veblen goods are luxury items where higher prices can increase their appeal.

Deduce the Conditions for Upward Sloping Demand Curve

For a demand curve to be upward sloping, the good in question would need to be either a Giffen good or a Veblen good—having unique characteristics that make consumers demand more of them as their prices rise.

Key concepts

Giffen goods

When we talk about Giffen goods, we are referring to a special category of products that defy the commonly understood law of demand. Typically, if the price of a product rises, we expect consumers to purchase less of it. However, Giffen goods, which are a type of inferior good, behave differently.

Here’s what you need to understand about Giffen goods:

• They usually have no close substitutes, making it difficult for consumers to switch to other options when prices rise.
• Initially, the Giffen good might be an essential commodity for low-income consumers, like a staple food.
• As prices rise, these consumers, unable to substitute and still needing to fulfill basic needs, might consume more of the Giffen good by sacrificing other goods.

Giffen goods are rare, and their existence is often more theoretical. However, the idea provides a fascinating exception to the traditional law of demand.

Veblen goods

Veblen goods present another interesting case where the demand curve might slope upwards, contradicting the law of demand. Named after economist Thorstein Veblen, these goods are generally associated with high status and luxury.

Here are some key aspects of Veblen goods:

• Unlike Giffen goods, the appeal of Veblen goods is tied to their high price, linking cost with perceived prestige.
• Consumers might buy more of these goods as their price increases because they serve as status symbols.
• Examples include luxury cars, designer clothes, and high-end jewelry.

The concept of Veblen goods shows how price and demand can have a different relationship in luxury markets where "more expensive" often means "more desirable."

law of demand

The law of demand is a fundamental principle in economics that describes the inverse relationship between price and quantity demanded. In simple terms, it suggests that as the price of a product decreases, consumers will demand more of it, and conversely, as the price increases, demand will fall.

Key points about the law of demand include:

• It is represented by a downward-sloping demand curve on a graph, reflecting the typical market behavior.
• This consistency holds true for most goods and services under normal circumstances.
• The law of demand considers various factors, including income levels, consumer preferences, and the availability of substitutes.

While the law of demand serves as a useful guideline, understanding exceptions such as Giffen and Veblen goods helps to highlight the complexity and nuances present in real-world markets.