What does a monopoly indicate in a market structure?

A monopoly indicates a market structure where a single seller dominates the entire market for a particular good or service. This situation arises when one company has significant control over the supply and pricing of a product, effectively becoming the sole provider. As a result, the monopolist can influence market conditions, control prices, and restrict competition, as there are no other firms available to offer alternatives to consumers. This dominance can lead to a lack of consumer choice and potentially higher prices, as the monopolist does not face competitive pressure to lower costs or improve services.

In contrast, the other options describe market scenarios that involve multiple sellers, competition, or collaborative behavior among players, which are not characteristic of a monopoly. A competitive market would feature many competitors, while a cooperative market implies some level of collaboration among several sellers, both of which would dilute the dominance of a single seller.