Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Economics of Relationships

Some would consider me a bit detached or emotionless when it comes to relationships. Why? I believe relationships are no more than a business transaction; a merger and acquisition of two people who agree to co-exist, but they exchange wedding vows instead of marketable securities. With this said, what is my point?
Well, I have a few to be specific:
1) In economics, the demand of a product is affected by the number and quality of substitutes. Creating a marketable product that may have replacement present, but the buyer refuses to buy anything other then the concerned product. The aforementioned situation is a big advantage for companies in the realm of trade and commerce. Take Coke and Pepsi for an example: I work and attend a school which is a Coca-Cola campus, where no other competitors are sold. Those who are die hard Pepsi drinkers, will go out of their way to buy Pepsi because they believe that Coke is not a fitting replacement for the taste of Pepsi. Lets liken this example to relationships. In relationship, you, as an individual vested in an union with another person, should create a marketable product ( you and your unique qualities) that can't be replaced. Even though your boyfriend or girlfriend, wife or husband, is surrounded by Coke he or she will still choose your Pepsi.
2) Staying current. Continuing with our Coke/Pepsi example: Though Pepsi can lean on the fact that there are buyers that will always choose their product... Pepsi still can not fall to the disease of complacency...its marketing strategy, packaging styling, and manufacturing operation must stay current to maintain the level satisfaction for its buyers. The same is true for relationships. I feel in most marriages, correct me if I am wrong, are pushed into disarray because of the yearning to stay current in the other person's eyes is lacking. Staying with the times within your relationship is contributed to the wanting to stay current, communication, and positive interactions.
3) Educated and Selective (more so, exclusive ) buyer. I have focused a lot on the maker of the product, but I would be remiss, if I didn't highlight the need for a educated and selective buyer for the concept of the economics of relationships to be both logical and feasible. What is the point of a nicely packaged and high quality product, if it is being sold to a buyer that does not appreciate it? So when promoting your product to whomever you choose, make sure they are a buyer of high quality, and more importantly, someone who doesn't buy Pepsi and Coke.

Peace before all
Ashley.
Peace. Love. Empowerment.Purity

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice Ash! Your points make great sense and would add value to relationships if viewed in this light. It's unfortunate that doesn't appear to happen enough!