Artificial Scarcity

Artificial Scarcity refers to the deliberate restriction of goods, services, or resources by organizations, governments, or markets to create perceived scarcity and increase demand or value. This practice often occurs despite the abundance or easy availability of the restricted items. Sociologists study artificial scarcity to analyze its role in perpetuating economic inequality, consumer culture, and power dynamics. Examples include limiting access to essential medicines, creating exclusive luxury products, or enforcing intellectual property laws that restrict information sharing. Artificial scarcity highlights the intersection of capitalism, social control, and the manipulation of supply and demand in shaping societal behaviors and access to resources.