Government policy Flashcards
Define price ceiling
A legal maximum on the price at which a good can be sold
Define price floor
A legal minimum on the price at which a good can be sold
What does a binding price ceiling lead to?
It leads to a fall in supply and creates shortages
Why does a binding price ceiling lead to a fall in supply and shortages?
Because quantity demanded is more than quantity supplied
What happens to the people that demand the goods when there is a price ceiling?
Some people get the goods at lower prices but some do not get them at all
What happens to the sellers when there is a price ceiling?
They must ration the goods among the large number of potential buyers
What is one major problem with a price ceiling?
A black market can occur
How can you find the shortage as a result of a price ceiling on a graph?
It is the gap between the price ceiling intersects the supply curve and the demand curve, the gap occurs under the curves
What are rent controls?
These are ceilings placed on the rents that the landlords may charge their tenants
What is the goal of rent control policy?
To help the poor by making housing more affordable
What are the negative impacts of rent control policy?
Fall in supply
Worse-maintained housing
Choosier landlords
What happens to the elasticity of the short run supply and demand curve for rent control?
Supply and demand are price inelastic
What does a short run supply and demand curve look like for rent control?
The supply curve is vertical, the demand curve follows the law of demand and there is a shortage
What happens to the elasticity of the long run supply and demand curve for rent control?
Supply and demand are price elastic
What does a long run supply and demand curve look like for rent control?
Both curves follow their respective laws however, they aren’t steep and as a result the shortage is even greater
How can you find the surplus on a graph as a result of a price floor?
It is the gap between the places that the price floor intersects the supply and demand curves, it is above the curves
What does a binding price floor create?
A surplus
Why does a binding price floor create a surplus?
Quantity supplied is more than quantity demanded
What happens to the sellers as a result of the price floor?
Some sellers can sell the goods at a higher price but some are not able to sell at all and have to exit the market
What happens to the buyers as a result of a price floor?
Some buyers have to pay an unfairly high price
Why is there a price floor for alcohol?
To encourage less drinking and drinking responsibly
What is a positive of putting a price floor in place for the minimum wage (increasing it)?
Most low-wage workers would receive higher pay
What is a disadvantage of increasing the minimum wage?
Some jobs could become eliminated and as a result, the income of workers who lose their jobs would fall substantially and the unemployment rate would rise
Why would increasing the minimum wage cause job losses?
Because the firms can’t afford to keep all of the staff