Problems and solutions: (1) Does the price increase of beef noodles belong to the operator's bid-up behavior? How to characterize price fraud? 1. At the beginning of the price increase of beef noodles, we have reason to believe that it is really because of "rising raw materials and increasing costs". In 2007, the original price increase was a serious social problem, including pork prices and related agricultural and sideline products. The food industry closely related to agricultural and sideline products is undoubtedly the first to bear the brunt. Lanzhou beef noodles can't escape the harsh fact of rising raw materials. Some operators have to raise prices to make up for the shrinking benefits. This phenomenon is a normal market economy behavior. However, due to the inherent weaknesses and defects of market regulation, some merchants took the opportunity to drive up prices, which was more obvious in the later period of price increase. The normal phenomenon of rising prices has gradually evolved into an act of driving up prices. 2. Price gouging refers to fabricating and spreading price information, driving up prices, driving up commodity prices too high, or using false or misleading price means. This is an act of dishonesty, and it is also an act that is not conducive to the healthy development of the market economy. It not only damages the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, but also leads to the confusion of market order. (2) As a product with local characteristics or loved by the masses, must we keep the price low? Not necessarily. "For Lanzhou citizens, beef is more than just a kind of food. It has long been one of Lanzhou's three major cultural business cards (reader magazine, beef noodles, Zhongshan Railway Bridge). " "For Lanzhou citizens, beef noodles are not as simple as a bowl of noodles. The impact of its price increase on the public is no less than the price adjustment of water, electricity, gas and heating industries. " These descriptions fully explain the reasons for the great sensation caused by the price adjustment of beef noodles and its important position in the daily life of Lanzhou people. But in the final analysis, Lanzhou beef noodles is a commodity. As a commodity, its price has many influences. Such as supply and demand, commodity value, climate, time, region, production, religious belief, cultural customs and so on. Because Lanzhou beef noodles are very popular in Lanzhou, there is a strong consumer group, and the market demand is large, and there may even be a shortage of supply. A small price increase is in line with the law of value. In addition, due to the increase in costs, it is reasonable for merchants to raise prices slightly in pursuit of greater profits. Furthermore, with the recent improvement of the level of economic development and the improvement of people's consumption power, a slight price increase is allowed if it is still within the people's affordability. In a word, under the market economy, we should not keep the price low just because the products are local specialties or popular products. Beef noodles are a special food in Lanzhou. If we overemphasize the marketability and ignore its particularity, or even compare the price of beef noodles with the house price, it is not in line with the reality of Lanzhou. This is neither in line with the law of market value nor conducive to the interests of operators. Of course, it cannot be denied that the inherent weaknesses and defects of market regulation will prompt some businessmen to take the opportunity to drive up prices, which is why the government will use its own functions to regulate the market. (3) As a means of intervention, is there excessive intervention in the "price limit order" of government departments? Existence. Products like beef noodles can completely solve the price problem through the invisible hand of the market. High quality and good price, appropriately widening the price gap is the inevitable requirement of market segmentation after the development of the industry. The use of price limit is not conducive to the improvement of beef noodle quality and the development of the whole industry. If the beef noodle industry colludes to raise prices and forms price alliance, then according to China's price laws and regulations, price alliance can be targeted at point-to-point, and there is no need to restrict the whole industry with a price limit order. The normal price increase, which was originally caused by rising raw materials and increasing costs, has intensified due to the defects of market regulation, but it has not yet reached the point of government price limit. To limit the price of beef noodles, we should fully consider the interests of both consumers and operators. From the consumer's point of view, it is a good thing for the competent authorities to limit the price of beef noodles, but from a fair point of view, it is definitely unfair to simply limit the price of beef noodles in the context of a sharp rise in raw materials. Although it is a "price limit order" under the banner of "paying attention to people's livelihood", it is also a temporary practice. The price limit is only temporary, and it is impossible to limit it forever. This price limit has won the favor of most customers, but what about the noodle shop owner? Imagine that in the face of the beef noodle industry with a profit of only a few cents, the production enthusiasm of all operators will definitely be hit. It may lead to many problems such as cutting corners and declining quality. In this way, Lanzhou beef noodle industry will encounter a more severe test. Under the condition of market economy, the price management of the price department should basically be limited to monopoly and public utilities, and the prices of goods and services in competitive industries should be determined by the market. If this boundary is not clear, it is easy to do stupid things that violate the objective economic laws. This "price increase" storm is a normal situation that will be encountered in the development of market economy. Is it necessary for the government to make a special order on the price of noodles when encountering problems? If so, it would be too much of a fuss. Some people may say that beef noodles are very special in Lanzhou, but no matter how special, it is always a commodity. In the final analysis, the relationship between market supply and demand of commodities is the cause of price. If there is no ability to influence the supply and demand of commodities in the market, setting prices directly can only be a delaying tactic, and it cannot solve the fundamental contradiction. On the surface, the price limit in Lamian Noodles seems reasonable, serving the general public. In fact, it just violates the economic law that price should play a fundamental role in resource allocation in competitive fields, and the market performance law of commodity quality and industry service level. At the same time, it also limits consumers' right to choose different consumption grades. More seriously, it interferes with and hinders the market competition and healthy development of Lanzhou Lamian Noodles. Therefore, in the relationship between the government and the market, the market should precede the government, and the government must intervene cautiously and try its best to use the internal power of the market to solve the problem. (4) Is there only one way for the government to "limit the price" in the face of such problems as "beef noodle price increase"? If there are other ways, please list the analysis. 1. In the face of the problem of "beef noodle price increase", the government has other ways. 2.① From a macro point of view, the most important thing to solve the problem of beef noodle price increase is to develop the local economy, improve people's living standards and enhance people's consumption power. ② Increase the supply of agricultural and sideline products in beef noodle industry. The reason for the price increase of beef noodles is that "raw materials go up and costs go up". To solve this problem, the government can give full play to its economic functions, increase the supply of agricultural and sideline products, and adjust the price increase caused by the shortage of agricultural and sideline products. ③ Implement appropriate preferential tax policies for beef noodle industry. In order to stabilize prices, we must make a fuss about the cost. The government needs to reduce taxes and fees for the beef noodle industry to protect the profits of operators, which can also stabilize prices. Feeling: The starting point of the "price limit order" is good, because the government serves the general public and consumers, in order to let consumers eat Lamian Noodles at a lower price. But according to economics, the market is a machine with exquisite operation, low cost and the best benefit. In most cases, it can effectively regulate economic operation and activities of various economic entities. Only when the market is obviously out of order and the government intervention is obviously effective should the government take appropriate actions. Moreover, it is not appropriate to set the price directly, and it cannot violate the basic market rules.