A black market is trading in violation of publicly imposed regulations such as rationing laws, laws against certain goods, and official rates of exchange among currencies. Rationing is common in wartime to equalize the distribution of scarce goods and services; black-market activity may consist of charging more than the legal prices, stealing or counterfeiting ration currency, and making side payments in addition to the official rate to obtain a given amount of merchandise.
It is an economic activity that takes place outside government-sanctioned channels. Black market transactions usually occur “under the table” to let participants avoid government price controls or taxes.
While most people may shun a black market because they consider it sleazy, there may be rare occasions when they have no choice but to turn to this necessary evil. Black markets can take a toll on an economy since they are shadow markets where economic activity is not recorded, and taxes are not paid. In the financial context, the biggest black market exists for currencies in nations with strict currency controls.
Black markets are also the venues where highly controlled substances or products such as drugs and firearms are illegally traded. The black market has many drawbacks include the risk of fraud, the possibility of violence, being saddled with counterfeit goods or adulterated products (which is especially dangerous in the case of medications), and the fact that the buyer has no recourse and there is no guarantee because it is not monitored and regulated by any laws.
Black Markets exist primarily in nations like Argentina, Iran, and Venezuela. That – apart from currency controls – have weak economic fundamentals (such as a high inflation rate and low currency reserves) and a fixed exchange rate where the domestic currency is pegged at an unrealistically high level to the US dollar or other currency.
The Necessity of Black Markets
Sometimes, a black market is the only choice for procuring goods in certain situations.
Black Markets can be used for buying necessities. For example, let us say, you are on vacation with your family in an exotic location and run out of formula for your baby? If there is nothing available in local stores and the only way to acquire baby formula is through a black market transaction, few people would hesitate to make the purchase. Sometimes, a black market is the only choice for procuring goods in certain situations. Another example of a black market transaction is paying a premium over the face value of a ticket to see a concert or sporting event.
While critics may carp that this only serves to perpetuate the illegal and unethical practice of profiteering from someone else’s misfortune, participating in the black market is a relatively easy decision to make when someone’s life is at stake. In several developing nations, life-saving medicines are in short supply and, often, the only alternative is to procure them through the black market.
