Market failure, Externalities, Public Goods- MM Flashcards
What is market failure?
Market failure exists when the competitive outcome produced by the operation of the free market is not the best outcome for society
When does an externalitiy occur?
When the production or consumption of a good or service causes an impact for an unrelated third party
What is a negative externality of production?
When the process of producing a good or service creates a negative consequence for individuals or groups outside the business e.g. pollution
What is a negative externality of consumption?
When the process of consuming a good or service creates a negative consequence for individuals or groups not consuming it e.g. second-hand smoking
What is a positive externality of production?
When the process of producing a good or service creates a positive consequence for individuals or groups outside the business e.g. a business builds an attractive tourist attrction
What is a positive externality of consumption?
When the action of consuming a good or service creates a positive consequence for individuals or groups not consuming it e.g. individuals cycling & not driving reduces traffic congestion
How do you get social costs?
Private costs + External costs
What is a private cost?
Something affecting the individual only
What is an external cost?
Something affecting others
What are the 1) demand & 2) supply curve also known as?
1) MPB
2) MPC
What is it called when MPB=MPC?
Free market allocative efficiency
When is it allocative efficiency?
When MSB=MSC
What could the P axis also be labelled as?
Costs & benefits
If there is a positive externality in production, what happens on the diagram?
The D/MPB curve = MSB
The S/MPC curve shifts right, with this curve being MSC
If there is a negative externality of production, what happens on the diagram?
The D/MPB curve = MSB
The S/MPC curve shifts left, with this curve being the MSC
If there is a positive externality of consumption, what happens on the diagram?
The S/MPC = MSC
The D/MPB curve shifts right, with this curve being the MSB
If there is a negative externality of consumption, what happens on the diagram?
The S/MPC = MSC
The D/MPB curve shifts left , with this curve being the MSB
Where do you find welfare loss after an externality in production?
Find the vertical distance between the MPC & MSC and shade the triangle
Where do you find welfare loss after an externality in consumption?
Find the vertical distance between the MPB & MSB and shade the triangle
If the externality is 1) Positive & 2) Negative which way does the triangle point?
1) Right
2) Left
What is marginal social cost (MSC)?
The additional cost of producing one extra unit of a good
What is marginal social benefit?
The additional benefit that society gains from consuming an extra unit of a good