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How do these things increase demand for opium? Having a monopoly on opium doesn't make people want more of it. Smuggling doesn't make more of it, either. What
by solidsnack9000 6y ago
How do these things increase demand for opium?
Having a monopoly on opium doesn't make people want more of it. Smuggling doesn't make more of it, either. What you're describing are both forms of taking control of supply, and don't speak to demand.
- boomboomsubban 6y agoBy taking control of supply they were able to lower the sale cost, allowing more people to partake in the addictive substance. Making more people want opium isn't difficult.
- solidsnack9000 6y agoThe arrow of causality runs in the other direction. Lower prices meet unmet demand. When one supplier takes control of supply, that doesn't generally lead to lower prices; but expanding production -- which the British did -- certainly can.