Public Sector Intervention Flashcards
What are the 6 Reasons of market failures
Externalities
Missing Markets
Imperfect Competition
Lack of information
Immobility of factors of production
Imperfect distribution of income and wealth
Describe Externalities
Also known as spill-over effects or third-party effects
Costs and benefits that convert private costs and benefits into social costs and benefits
Costs and benefits which are not included in the market price
Negative and Positive
Why are markets incomplete
They cannot meet the demand for certain goods
What are merit goods
Goods that are highly desirable for general welfare but not highly rated by the market. They are undersupplied
E.g. Health Care, education
What are Demerit goods
Goods that are harmful to society but are highly rated by the market. They are oversupplied.
E.g. Alcohol, Cigarettes
What is imperfect competition
When competition is limited by certain producers preventing new businesses entering the market
Barriers to entry are created
Imperfect market does not allow for price negotiation
Businesses charge high price and supply low quantities
What is lack of information
Consumers, workers and entrepreneurs do not have the necessary information to make rational decisions
How does lack of information affect consumers, workers and entrepreneurs individually
Consumers - Need information in order to maximise benefits
Workers - Need to be aware of job opportunities
Entrepreneurs - Lack of information on costs, availability and productivity of FOP impacts effectiveness
Describe immobility of Factors of Production
Labour takes time to move geographically and occupationally to meet the changes in demand
Physical Capital cannot be relocated easily
Structural changes require changes in workers skills, employment and work patterns
Describe imperfect distribution of income and wealth
People who have access to capital and have more skills earn more than those who don’t
Discrimination has many negative effects on groups
Market produces goods and services only for those who can afford them
What are the 3 effects of market failure
Inefficiencies
Externalities
Monopolies and imperfect markets
What are the 2 types of inefficiencies
Productive / Technical Inefficiency
Allocative Inefficiency
What is productive inefficiency
When resources are not used appropriately to produce the maximum number of goods at the lowest cost and best quality. Some resources may be wasted
What is allocative inefficiency
When resources are not allocated in the correct proportions. Product mix does not match consumers tastes
What are the two types of externalities
Negative and Positive
What are negative externalities
Externalities that have a negative effect on the consumer such as cigarettes
What are the three methods governments use to reduce negative externalities
Carry out campaigns to persuade people from causing negative externalities
Levy taxes on goods that cause negative externalities
Pass laws and regulations to prevent activities that cause negative externalities
What are the 3 ways the government encourages positive externalities
Advertising on radio and television
Providing education, health care and other services at low prices or for free
Providing producer subsidies to lower the cost of a product and encourage its usage
What is an example of positive externality
Education