Microeconomics
Microeconomics
21st Edition
ISBN: 9781259915727
Author: Campbell R. McConnell, Stanley L. Brue, Sean Masaki Flynn Dr.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 1DQ
To determine

Market failure.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Market failure can be caused by Externality and Market Power. Externality is when one person actions affect the whole economy. Market Power is when a small group of people have a strong impact on the economy.

A public good is one where consumption in non-excludable and non-rival. Private goods are not profitable because of the free rider problem. If any person desires to start out fireworks and put a charge for the event, the chances of making any good revenue would become dim. In the event of fireworks, one cannot restrict the people outside the event from watching the fireworks as it is non-excludable and it is an example of non-rival because fireworks is visible to everyone. Hence, If 1 person has seen the fireworks; it will not decrease the ability of someone else to see the same fireworks. This is the first type of market failure.

The 2nd potential market failure can be explained as the existence of an externality. Externalities happen when the profit gets accumulated to someone else rather than the original buyer or seller. For example, a person might completely internalize the cost that is incurred by smoking cigarettes, which are the price and the health issues that the person has to face; but the same person cannot internalize the harmful health issues that could harm others, who inhale the smoke from the cigarette.

1st case: Yes, it is possible for both to occur if an individual feels that the good has a value, such as fireworks, though they still face free-rider issues. For example, a person would like to start a fireworks event and set a charge to see if the event can be made a better show. But as majorities are free-riding from the person’s display, he would start only a small one. If the fireworks display started by that person causes pollution or harm others, then a negative externality might exist.

2nd case: No, since there is a problem of free-rider organizations that would not be producing any goods. As there are no commodities being produced or consumed, externality factor cannot be considered.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Market failure: It is a condition, where free markets fail to distribute resources efficiently.

Public goods: Public goods are the goods that have the characteristics of non-rivalry in nature and non-excludability. One person’s consumption should not reduce the availability for other person. It is not advisable to restrict other people to avail the goods they desire.

Externality: Externality refers to the spill over of benefits or cost to the third party other than the immediate market participants.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Describe the various measures used to assess poverty and economic inequality. Analyze the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality, and discuss potential policies and programs aimed at reducing them, assess the adequacy of current environmental regulations in addressing negative externalities. analyze the role of labor unions in labor markets. What is one benefit, and one challenge associated with labor unions.
Evaluate the effectiveness of supply and demand models in predicting labor market outcomes. Justify your assessment with specific examples from real-world labor markets.
Explain the difference between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics?  2.) Explain what fiscal policy is and then explain what Monetary Policy is? 3.) Why is opportunity cost and give one example from your own of opportunity cost. 4.) What are models and what model did we already discuss in class? 5.) What is meant by scarcity of resources?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Microeconomic Theory
Economics
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Principles of Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:9781305156050
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337091992
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781305585126
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours...
Economics
ISBN:9781337091985
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Principles of Microeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781305971493
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:Cengage Learning