Microeconomics
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781259655500
Author: David C Colander
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Videos
Textbook Question
Chapter 6, Problem 6IP
In 2004, Congress allocated over $20 billion to fight illegal drugs. About 60 percent of the funds was directed at reducing the supply of drugs through domestic law enforcement and interdiction. Some critics of this approach argue that supply-side approaches to reduce the drug supply actually help drug producers.
- a. Demonstrate graphically the effect of supply-side measures on the market for illegal drugs.
- b. Explain how these measures affect drug producers. (Hint: Consider the elasticity of demand.)
- c. Demonstrate the effect of demand-side measures such as treatment and prevention on the market for illegal drugs.
- d. How does the shift in demand affect the profitability of producers?
Expert Solution & Answer
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solution
Students have asked these similar questions
Consider the demand and supply for illicit drugs. Assume you have been appointed by the government to recommend on an optimal policy to tackle the problem. You are told that the price elasticity of demand (or own-price elasticity) is <1 (i.e., inelastic) and that the price elasticity of supply is >1 (i.e., elastic). Would you recommend the government intervene on the demand side or the supply side. Explain your answer. What sorts of policies would you recommend?
Price elasticity of demand estimates come up often when taxes are being placed on goods. Why do you think knowing the price elasticity of demand is important for policy? Despite large taxes on cigarettes (and the predicted decrease in consumption), the tobacco industry has seen steadily rising profits. What can explain this? What do you think would happen to the price elasticity of demand as e-cigarettes become more popular and available?
About 100 million pounds of jelly beans are consumed in the U. S. each year, and the price has been about 50 cents per pound. However, jelly bean producers feel that their incomes are too low and have convinced the government that price supports are in order. The government will therefore buy up as many jelly beans as necessary to keep the price at $1 per pound. However, government economists are worried about the impact of this program because they have no estimates of the elasticities of jelly bean demand or supply. 1. Given the market data shown in the graph, the price support costs the government $ ___ million. 2. Which of the following would increase the cost of the program? A) The demand curve becomes relatively more elastic. B) The supply curve becomes relatively more elastice. C) The supply curve becomes relatively mor inelastic. D) Both A and C. E) Both A and B. 3. Draw a new supply or demand curve in such a way the price support causes the greatest loss in consumer surplus.…
Chapter 6 Solutions
Microeconomics
Ch. 6.1 - If when price rises by 4 percent, quantity...Ch. 6.1 - Prob. 2QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 3QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 4QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 5QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 6QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 7QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 8QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 9QCh. 6.1 - Prob. 10Q
Ch. 6 - Determine the price elasticity of demand if, in...Ch. 6 - A firm has just increased its price by 5 percent...Ch. 6 - When tolls on the Dulles Airport Greenway were...Ch. 6 - Prob. 4QECh. 6 - Prob. 5QECh. 6 - Prob. 6QECh. 6 - Prob. 7QECh. 6 - Economists have estimated the following...Ch. 6 - Prob. 9QECh. 6 - A newspaper recently lowered its price from 5.00...Ch. 6 - Once a book has been written, would an author...Ch. 6 - Prob. 12QECh. 6 - Prob. 13QECh. 6 - Suppose average movie ticket prices are 8.50 and...Ch. 6 - Which of the following producers would you expect...Ch. 6 - Prob. 16QECh. 6 - Prob. 17QECh. 6 - Prob. 18QECh. 6 - Prob. 19QECh. 6 - Prob. 20QECh. 6 - Prob. 21QECh. 6 - Prob. 22QECh. 6 - Prob. 1QAPCh. 6 - Prob. 2QAPCh. 6 - Prob. 3QAPCh. 6 - Prob. 4QAPCh. 6 - Prob. 5QAPCh. 6 - Price elasticity is not just a technical economic...Ch. 6 - Prob. 1IPCh. 6 - Prob. 2IPCh. 6 - Prob. 3IPCh. 6 - Prob. 4IPCh. 6 - Prob. 5IPCh. 6 - In 2004, Congress allocated over 20 billion to...Ch. 6 - In 2004, (Congress allocated over 20 billion to...Ch. 6 - Prob. 8IPCh. 6 - Prob. 9IPCh. 6 - Prob. 10IP
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- A local government is seeking to impose a specific tax on hotel rooms. The price elasticity of supply of hotel rooms is 3.5, and the price elasticity of demand is 0.3. If the new tax is imposed, who will bear the greater burden-hotel suppliers or hotel consumers? The hotel consumers pay percent and hotel suppliers pay percent of the tax. (Enter your responses rounded one decimal place.)arrow_forwardSuppose that legalizing the use of marijuana would decrease its price by 92 percent. If the price elasticity of demand for marijuana is -2.75, what would be the percentage increase in the quantity of marijuana demanded from legalizing marijuana? percent. (Enter a numeric response using a real number rounded to two decimal places.) Suppose instead that the price elasticity of demand for marijuana is -0.17. What would be the percentage increase in the quantity of marijuana demanded from legalizing marijuana? decimal places). percent (enter your response rounded to two The higher the absolute value of the price elasticity of demand for marijuana, the V the increase in marijuana use that would result from legalization.arrow_forwardThe government commissioned a research firm, Super Consulting, to conduct a study on the market demand for cigarettes in Malaysia. The firm reported that the price elasticity of demand for cigarettes is about 0.4. If a pack of cigarettes costs $2 and the government wants to reduce smoking by 20 percent, by how much should it increase the price? If the government permanently increases the price of cigarettes, will the policy have a larger effect on smoking after 1 year from now or 5 years from now? Explain Super Consulting also found that teenagers have higher price elasticity than adults. Why might this be true? Explain Outline and discuss the appropriate economic policies that can be implemented to reduce smoking.arrow_forward
- Demand studies in health care have provided estimates of both income and price elasticity. Estimates of income elasticity are usually above +1.0 and estimates of price elasticity typically range between −0.1 and −0.75 (with hospital services at the lower end and elective services at the upper end). What is the significance of these estimates to policy makers?arrow_forwardStuck on this question for hours. Not sure on the solution. Question in image. Thanks for your help :)arrow_forwardWho does elasticity matter to the most? The government, the firm/business, or the individual/consumer.arrow_forward
- You are the manager of a gas station and your goal is to maximize profits. Based on your past experience, the elasticity of demand by Texans for a car wash is -4, while the elasticity of demand by non-Texans for a car was is -6. If you charge Texans $20 for a car wash, how much should you charge a man with Oklahoma license plates for a car wash? a. $20.00 b. $1.50 c. $18.00 d. $15.00arrow_forwardConsider public policy aimed at smoking. a. Studies indicate that the price elasticity of demand for cigarettes is about 0.4. If a pack of cigarettes currently costs $2 and the government wants to reduce smoking by 20 percent, by how much should it increase the price? b. If the government permanently increases the price of cigarettes, will the policy have a larger effect on smoking one year from now or five years from now? c. Studies also find that teenagers have a higher price elasticity than do adults. Why might this be true?arrow_forwardPlease answer the following. A diagram and one paragraph should help to support your answer. Question: With consideration for elasticity (especially PED), what would be one industry in which the government instituting a subsidy would make sense and why?arrow_forward
- Why is the war on drugs hard to win? The government has not used adequate resources in the war. It is not a conventional war. Drug dealers get greater revenue following successful government prohibition efforts. The demand for illegal drugs is too elastic.arrow_forwardExplain and demonstrate using appropriate examples, how elasticity when it is zero is applied at the level of the government with respect to the setting of prices for various types of goods and services. (Macroeconomics)arrow_forwardThe Department of Agriculture is interested in analyzing the domestic market for corn. The DA's staff economists estimate the following equations for the demand and supply curves: Qd = 1,600 - 125P Qs = 440 + 165P Quantities are measured in millions of bushels; prices are measured in dollars per bushel. a. Calculate the price elasticities of supply and demand at the equilibrium values. Is demand elastic, inelastic or unit elastic and why? Is supply elastic, inelastic or unit elastic and why? b. The government currently has a $4.50 bushel support price in place. What impact (surplus or shortage) will this support price have on the market? If the government is currently implementing a program that requires it to buy up any surpluses, how much wheat will the government buy?arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
Price Elasticity of Supply; Author: Economics Online;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDIm3j-7is;License: Standard youtube license