The De Beers Diamond Mining and Marketing Company of South

question 4

Multiple Choice

The De Beers diamond mining and marketing company of South Africa became one of the most profitable and longest-lived monopolies in history.Which of the following has always threatened De Beers' control of the diamond market?

• A)Since few diamonds are ever destroyed, De Beers has constantly faced possible competition from other firms reselling diamonds.
• B)Competition from imitation diamonds. Technology has made it possible to make fake diamonds look exactly like real diamonds.
• C)Competition from other gemstones, including rubies and emeralds, that have become more popular over time.
• D)At different times in the past some countries have banned the importation of diamonds from South Africa for political reasons.

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Definitions:

Aspirations

Hopes or ambitions of achieving something.

Ethical

Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; adhering to the standards of what is right or just in behavior.

Unethical

Not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior; acting against moral principles.