The analogy/classification works if you assume they engineered the scarcity through collusion. Then its "lower prices to win the market" vs "work together to artificially lower supply as a smoke screen to squeeze on prices."
The sense of scarcity factors into the ability to negotiate these contracts. Cooking the reports has a direct impact on contracts and does increase real demand.
The sense of scarcity factors into the ability to negotiate these contracts. Cooking the reports has a direct impact on contracts and does increase real demand.