Market Failure & Government Intervention Flashcards

1
Q

Define market failure

A

The failure of the market system to allocate resources efficiently leading to a net welfare loss

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2
Q

Give three causes of market failiure

A

Externalities, public goods, information gaps

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3
Q

What is the formula for social costs?

A

Private costs + External costs

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4
Q

What is a condition for negative externality of production?

A

Socials costs greater than private costs

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5
Q

What is a condition for positive externality of consumption?

A

Social benefit greater than private benefit

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6
Q

Define a public good

A

Good which non rivalrous and non excludable

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7
Q

Define non-excludable

A

If the good is used, you cannot exclude consumers who haven’t paid for it also using it

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8
Q

Define non-rivalrous

A

Quality of a good is not diminished for one consumer if other consumers are using it

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9
Q

Explain the free rider problem

A

When a public good is provided by someone, other people will be able to consume it without paying

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10
Q

How does he free rider problem cause market failure?

A

Insufficient number of people will be willing to pay for the good so will not be profitable for business to produce it

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11
Q

Define asymmetric information

A

Where one party in a transaction has more information than the other

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12
Q

Explain how indirect taxes affect negative externalities of production?

A

Internalises externality by taxing product so PMC increases and output and consumption will be at level at which SMB=SMC

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13
Q

What are merit goods?

A

Have positive externalities and suffer from information failures

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14
Q

What are demerit goods?

A

Have negative externalities and suffer from information failures

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15
Q

On externality diagrams, which line is supply and which is demand?

A

PMC is supply and PMB is demand

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16
Q

What is the socially optimum level of output and consumption?

A

When SMB=SMC

17
Q

Give an example of a max prices scheme?

A

NYC Rent Control

18
Q

Give example of a min price scheme?

A

Common Agricultural Policy

19
Q

What is needed to start a buffer stock scheme?

A

Price low to buy up stocks and good needs to be non perishable

20
Q

What are tradable pollution permits?

A

Rights to sell and buy actual and potential pollution in artificial markets

21
Q

Define government failiure

A

When government intervention results in a net welfare loss

22
Q

Give four examples of government failure?

A

Distortion of price signals, unintended consequences, excessive admin costs and information gaps

23
Q

Define imperfect information

A

When people lack information to make informed choices

24
Q

Define welfare gain

A

Social benefit greater than social cost

25
Q

Define welfare loss

A

Social cost greater than social benefit