Principles of Microeconomics Canadian 7Th Edition Mankiw Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Principles of Microeconomics Canadian 7Th Edition Mankiw Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Principles of Microeconomics Canadian 7Th Edition Mankiw Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Chapter 10 - Externalities
1. In a market economy, what guides economic activity?
a. the government
b. businesses
c. central planners
d. prices
ANSWER: d
2. Because decisions in a market economy are guided by individual self-interest, what exists in an economy?
a. a strong need for government intervention in the market
b. less efficiency in market economies than in command economies
c. the ability to achieve desirable economic well-being for society as a whole
d. more need for a strong legal system to control individual greed
ANSWER: c
3. If there are no externalities, what does the invisible hand lead a market to maximize?
a. producer profit from that market
b. total benefit to society from that market
c. both equity and efficiency in that market
d. output of goods or services in that market
ANSWER: b
4. In the absence of externalities, what can be said about the invisible hand of the marketplace?
a. It leads to a market outcome that maximizes total benefit to society.
b. It is unable to resolve inherent disagreements between parties in the market system.
c. It induces people to act in a manner inconsistent with self-interest.
d. It increases the transaction costs so reaching an efficient outcome is especially difficult.
ANSWER: a
5. What is one advantage market economies have over other types of economies?
a. Market economies provide an equal distribution of goods and services to consumers.
b. Market economies establish government economic control.
c. Market economies solve the problem of scarcity.
d. Market economies are more efficient.
ANSWER: d
Chapter 10 - Externalities
b. externalities
c. excess supply or demand
d. scarcity
ANSWER: b
8. What is an externality?
a. the impact of society’s decisions on the well-being of society
b. the impact of a person’s actions on that person’s well-being
c. the impact of a person’s actions on the well-being of a bystander
d. the impact of society’s decisions on the well-being of an individual in that society
ANSWER: c
Chapter 10 - Externalities
c. better informed market participants
d. government intervention
ANSWER: d
17. When negative externalities are present in a market, what will result?
a. Producers will be affected, but not consumers.
b. Overproduction will occur.
c. Demand will be too high.
d. The market will still maximize total benefits.
ANSWER: b
18. Which of the following would NOT likely be considered a negative externality?
a. Smelter Ltd. creates steel and pollution in Anytown, Canada.
b. Your friend buys a new puppy that barks every night.
c. You have an adverse reaction to a medication your doctor prescribed for you.
d. Your neighbour purchases the most powerful speakers money can buy for his patio.
ANSWER: c
19. When externalities exist, what do buyers and sellers do and how do their actions affect market equilibrium?
a. They neglect the external effects of their actions, but the market equilibrium is still efficient.
b. They do not neglect the external effects of their actions, and the market equilibrium is efficient.
c. They neglect the external effects of their actions, and the market equilibrium is not efficient.
d. They do not neglect the external effects of their actions, and the market equilibrium is not efficient.
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
ANSWER: c
20. Why is dioxin emission that results from the production of paper a good example of a negative externality?
a. Self-interested paper firms are generally unaware of environmental regulations.
b. There are fines for producing too much dioxin.
c. Self-interested paper producers will not consider the full cost of the dioxin pollution they create.
d. Toxic emissions are the only form of an externality.
ANSWER: c
21. If a paper manufacturer does NOT bear the entire cost of the dioxin it emits, what will it do?
a. It will emit lower levels of dioxin than is socially efficient.
b. It will emit higher levels of dioxin than is socially efficient.
c. It will emit an acceptable level of dioxin.
d. It will not emit any dioxin in an attempt to avoid paying a fine.
ANSWER: b
22. When the government intervenes in markets with externalities, why does it do so?
a. to increase production when negative externalities are present
b. to protect the interests of bystanders
c. to make certain all benefits are received by market participants
d. to better coordinate the actions of buyers and sellers
ANSWER: b
23. How have policymakers chosen to solve the problem of too much car exhaust pollution?
a. by setting emission standards and limiting driving by commuters
b. by setting emission standards and taxing gasoline
c. by taxing car producers and limiting driving by commuters
d. by taxing gasoline and taxing car producers
ANSWER: b
24. Dog owners do not bear the full cost of the noise their barking dogs create and, therefore, tend to take too few
precautions to prevent their dogs from barking. How do local governments address this problem?
a. by making it illegal to “disturb the peace”
b. by having a well-funded animal control department
c. by subsidizing local animal shelters
d. by asking owners to bargain with their neighbours to resolve the externality
ANSWER: a
Chapter 10 - Externalities
26. If a sawmill creates too much noise for local residents, what will result?
a. It will be up to the residents to either adapt or move.
b. A sense of social responsibility will cause owners of the mill to reduce noise levels.
c. The government can raise economic well-being through noise-control regulations.
d. The government can raise economic well-being by installing sound barriers around homes closest to the
sawmill.
ANSWER: c
27. Why are too few resources generally devoted to research in new technologies in developing countries?
a. New technologies cannot be patented.
b. Government research grants are not easily obtainable.
c. Negative externalities are created from some research.
d. Inventors cannot capture the full benefits of their inventions.
ANSWER: d
31. When externalities are present in a market, how is the well-being of market participants and market bystanders
affected by government policies?
a. Market participants are directly affected, and market bystanders are indirectly affected.
b. Market participants and market bystanders are both directly affected.
c. Market participants and market bystanders are both indirectly affected.
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
d. Market participants are indirectly affected, and market bystanders are directly affected.
ANSWER: a
32. Which statement about a well-maintained yard best conveys the general nature of externalities?
a. A maintained yard conveys a positive externality because it increases the home’s market value.
b. A maintained yard conveys a negative externality because it increases the property tax liability of the owner.
c. A maintained yard conveys a negative externality because it makes other property owners in the
neighbourhood feel like their homes are less valuable.
d. A maintained yard conveys a positive externality because it increases the value of adjacent properties in the
neighbourhood.
ANSWER: d
33. Hikers frequently claim that livestock grazing in Wilderness Recreation Areas reduces the satisfaction of their
recreational hiking experience. What is the economic explanation for this conflict?
a. Hikers do not value livestock as much as ranchers.
b. Grazing cows create negative externalities that make hiking less pleasant.
c. Ranchers are insensitive to the recreational use of public lands.
d. Grazing cows is a profit-generating activity, but hiking is not.
ANSWER: b
35. When a beekeeper places his hives of bees in an orchard so that the bees can gather nectar to produce honey, the bees
pollinate the orchard, which increases the yield of fruit. What is the economic explanation of this activity?
a. It creates a positive externality because orchard owners can charge the beekeeper a fee for the use of his
orchard.
b. It creates a negative externality because the bees are a hazard to the orchard owner.
c. It creates a positive externality because both parties can benefit from this activity.
d. It creates a negative externality because one party may benefit from it but the other party may suffer a loss.
ANSWER: c
36. Suppose that large-scale pork production has the potential to create ground water pollution. Why might this type of
pollution be considered an externality?
a. The groundwater pollution reduces the cost of large-scale pork production.
b. The economic impact of a large-scale facility is localized in a small geographic area.
c. The pollution has the potential for creating a health risk for water users in the region surrounding the pork
production facility.
d. Consumers will not reap the benefits of lower production costs from a large-scale facility.
ANSWER: c
Chapter 10 - Externalities
37. What does the demand curve for a product reflect?
a. the value of the product to consumers
b. the cost of the product’s externality on society
c. the quantity consumers are able to purchase
d. the price the product will sell for in the market
ANSWER: a
41. What does the height of the supply curve at any given quantity of coal show?
a. the value to the consumer of the last unit of coal bought
b. the consumer’s willingness to pay for coal at each quantity
c. the cost to the producer of the last unit of coal sold
d. the total quantity of coal exchanged in the market
ANSWER: c
42. A negative externality causes a private market to produce which of the following quantities?
a. less than is socially desirable
b. more than is socially desirable
c. more than market equilibrium
d. less than market equilibrium
ANSWER: b
43. When a negative externality exists in a market, how does the cost to producers compare with the cost to society?
a. The cost to producers will be greater than the cost to society.
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
b. The cost to producers will be the same as the cost to society.
c. The cost to producers will be less than the cost to society.
d. The cost to producers and society will be different, regardless of whether an externality is present.
ANSWER: c
44. What will arise when negative externalities are present in a market?
a. Private costs will be greater than social costs.
b. Social costs will be greater than private costs.
c. Government will regulate the externalities in the market. .
d. The market will not be able to reach any equilibrium situation.
ANSWER: b
45. Air pollution creates a negative externality. Which of the following results?
a. Welfare will be enhanced when some air pollution is eliminated.
b. Social welfare is optimal when all air pollution is eliminated.
c. Governments can regulate the market to eliminate all pollution.
d. The free market result maximizes social welfare.
ANSWER: a
46. Why are markets often inefficient when negative externalities are present?
a. Private costs exceed social costs at the private market solution.
b. Externalities can never be corrected without government regulation.
c. Social costs exceed private costs at the private market solution.
d. Production externalities lead to consumption externalities.
ANSWER: c
48. When the social cost curve is above a product’s supply curve, what do we know?
a. Government has intervened in the market.
b. A negative externality exists in the market.
c. A positive externality exists in the market.
d. The market reached equilibrium on its own.
ANSWER: b
Chapter 10 - Externalities
d. The cost to the producer exceeds the cost to society.
ANSWER: b
Figure 10-1
This figure reflects the market for outdoor concerts in a public park surrounded by residential neighbourhoods.
50. Refer to Figure 10-1. Why is the social cost curve above the supply curve?
a. It takes into account the external costs imposed on society by the concert organizers.
b. Municipalities always impose noise restrictions on concerts in parks surrounded by residential
neighbourhoods.
c. Concert tickets are likely to be resold at a higher price, making it more costly to attend the concert.
d. Residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods get to listen to the concert for free.
ANSWER: a
51. Refer to Figure 10-1. What does the difference between the social cost curve and the supply curve reflect?
a. the profit margin of each concert
b. the cost of spillover effects from the concert (e.g., noise and traffic)
c. the value of concerts to society as a whole
d. the amount by which the city should subsidize the concert organizers
ANSWER: b
52. Refer to Figure 10-1. What price and quantity combination best represents the optimum price and number of concerts
that should be organized?
a. P1, Q1
b. P2, Q0
c. P1, Q0
d. P1, Q0
ANSWER: b
53. Refer to Figure 10-1. At the private market outcome, what will the equilibrium price be?
a. P0
b. P1
Chapter 10 - Externalities
c. P2
d. either P1 or P2
ANSWER: b
54. Refer to Figure 10-1. What is the total surplus derived from the most efficient outcome?
a. a + b
b. a + b + c + d
c. a + b + c + d + e + f
d. a + b + c + e + g
ANSWER: a
55. Refer to Figure 10-1. Assume that the concert organizers must purchase a concert permit (the cost for the permit is
included in private cost) before organizing the concert. What criterion should the city use in determining whether or not to
issue a permit?
a. The majority vote of the residents in surrounding neighbourhoods should determine whether a permit is issued.
b. As long as the value to consumers of concerts exceeds the cost of concerts (including the external costs), the
permit should be issued.
c. As long as concert organizers are willing to return the park to its original condition after the concert, the
permit should be issued.
d. The permit should not be issued as long as there are identifiable external costs imposed on residents in
surrounding neighbourhoods.
ANSWER: b
Figure 10-2
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. Q1
b. Q2
c. Q3
d. Q4
ANSWER: c
58. Refer to Figure 10-2. At Q3, how does a consumer value the cost of the product?
a. The marginal consumer values this product less than the social cost of producing it.
b. Every consumer values this product less than the social cost of producing it.
c. The cost to society is equal to the value to society.
d. The marginal consumer values this product more than the private cost.
ANSWER: a
59. Refer to Figure 10-2. If this market currently produces Q3, how would total economic well-being be increased?
a. if production decreased to 0
b. if production decreased to Q1
c. if production decreased to Q2
d. if production increased to Q4
ANSWER: a
60. Refer to Figure 10-2. If this market is currently producing at Q1, how could total economic well-being be increased?
a. if output stayed at Q1
b. if output increased to Q2
c. if output increased to Q3
d. if output increased to Q4
ANSWER: b
61. Refer to Figure 10-2. If this market is currently producing at Q4, how could total economic well-being be increased?
a. if output decreased to zero
b. if output decreased to Q2
c. if output stayed at Q4
d. if output increased
ANSWER: b
62. Refer to Figure 10-2. If this market currently produces Q2, how could total economic well-being be maximized?
a. if production decreased to Q1
b. if output stayed at Q2
c. if production increased to Q3
d. if output decreased to zero
ANSWER: b
63. Refer to Figure 10-2. If all external costs were internalized, what would be the market’s equilibrium output?
a. Q1
b. Q2
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
c. Q3
d. Q4
ANSWER: b
64. Refer to Figure 10-2. How could externalities in this market be internalized?
a. if there were a tax on the product
b. if there were a subsidy on the product
c. if production were stopped
d. if the Coase theorem failed
ANSWER: a
65. Refer to Figure 10-2. What is the socially optimal outcome for this market?
a. it would optimize total well-being at Q2.
b. it would benefit from a tax on the product.
c. it would benefit from a subsidy placed on the product.
d. it would optimize total well-being at Q3.
ANSWER: b
66. Refer to Figure 10-2. What is the optimum amount of this product from society’s standpoint?
a. Q1
b. Q2
c. Q3
d. Q4
ANSWER: b
67. Suppose that at present there are no laws to restrict pollution produced by the widget industry. The market price of a
widget is $20. If the government imposes a tax equal in value to the cost of the pollution, under which circumstances
would firms continue to produce widgets?
a. if the cost imposed by the pollution is less than $20 per widget produced
b. if the private cost of producing a widget equals the cost of the pollution generated per widget
c. if $20 minus the private cost of producing a widget is greater than the cost of the pollution generated per
widget
d. if $20 minus the private cost of producing a widget is less than the cost of the pollution generated per widget
ANSWER: c
68. When producers operate in a market characterized by negative externalities, what will a tax do that forces them to
internalize the externality?
a. It will give sellers an economic incentive to account for the external effects of their actions.
b. It will have an offsetting effect that reduces the producers’ private production costs.
c. It will increase the amount of the commodity exchanged in market equilibrium.
d. It will dictate to the producer how much is an acceptable level of the negative externality
ANSWER: a
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. one for which producers choose not to produce any pollution
b. one for which producers internalize the cost of the pollution
c. one for which a benevolent social planner is able to maximize production
d. one for which the value to consumers at market equilibrium exceeds the cost of production (including tax)
ANSWER: b
71. Suppose that a steel factory emits a certain amount of air pollution. If this market is NOT required to internalize this
externality, what will happen?
a. The supply curve would adequately reflect the marginal social cost of production.
b. Consumers will be required to pay a higher price for steel than they would have if the externality were
internalized.
c. The market equilibrium would not be the socially optimal quantity.
d. Producers will produce less steel than they otherwise would have if the externality were internalized.
ANSWER: c
72. A fertilizer plant emits a very foul odour during the production process. If the government forces the plant to
internalize this negative externality, what would result?
a. The supply curve for fertilizer would shift to the right (down).
b. The supply curve for fertilizer would shift to the left (up).
c. The demand curve for fertilizer would shift to the right (down).
d. The demand curve for fertilizer would shift to the left (up).
ANSWER: b
Figure 10-3
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. P2 – P1
b. P3 – P2
c. P3 – P0
d. P3 – P1
ANSWER: d
74. Refer to Figure 10-3. Which price and quantity combination represents the social optimum?
a. P0 and Q1
b. P1 and Q0
c. P2 and Q1
d. P2 and Q0
ANSWER: c
75. What will internalizing a negative externality cause the supply curve of an industry to do?
a. shift to the right
b. shift to the left
c. expand
d. remain unchanged
ANSWER: b
Chapter 10 - Externalities
79. When dealing with externalities, how can we correct market failure?
a. In the case of positive externalities, the market can correct it, but in the case of negative externalities,
government regulation is necessary.
b. In the case of negative externalities, the market can correct it, but in the case of positive externalities,
government regulation is necessary
c. In the case of both positive and negative externalities, government regulation is often necessary to induce
market participants to internalize the externality.
d. In the case of both positive and negative externalities, market can correct all market failures.
ANSWER: c
80. When dealing with externalities, how can the market equilibrium be moved closer to the social equilibrium?
a. by taxing negative externalities and subsidizing positive externalities
b. by taxing both positive and negative externalities
c. by subsidizing both positive and negative externalities
d. by taxing users of goods that have externalities
ANSWER: a
82. What will a market that experiences a positive externality also experience?
a. a smaller market output and a higher market price than is optimal
b. a greater market output and lower market price than is optimal
c. a greater market output and higher market price than is optimal
d. a smaller market output and lower market price than is optimal
ANSWER: d
Figure 10-4
Chapter 10 - Externalities
84. Refer to Figure 10-4. Which quantity represents the social optimum for this market?
a. Q1
b. Q2
c. Q3
d. Q4
ANSWER: c
85. Refer to Figure 10-4. To internalize the externality in this market, what should the government do?
a. impose a tax on this product
b. provide a subsidy for this product
c. encourage firms to supply more of this product by taxing them
d. encourage firms to supply less of this product by regulating them
ANSWER: b
Chapter 10 - Externalities
d. The private value is greater than the social value.
ANSWER: a
Figure 10-5
89. Refer to Figure 10-5. Which price and quantity combination represents the social optimum for this market?
a. P1 and Q1
b. P2 and Q1
c. P2 and Q2
d. P3 and Q1
ANSWER: c
90. Refer to Figure 10-5. To internalize the externality in this market, what should the government do?
a. impose a tax on this product
b. provide a subsidy for this product
c. encourage firms to supply more of this product by offering tax incentives
d. produce the product itself
ANSWER: b
91. Which policy is government most inclined to use when faced with a positive externality?
a. taxation
b. permits
c. subsidies
d. usage fees
ANSWER: c
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
92. Why do private markets fail to reach a socially optimal level when negative externalities are present?
a. Private benefit exceeds social benefit at the private market solution.
b. Private costs exceed social costs at the private market solution.
c. Social costs exceed private costs at the private market solution.
d. Social benefit exceeds private benefit at the private market solution.
ANSWER: c
93. Why do private markets fail to reach a socially optimal level when positive externalities are present?
a. Private benefit equals social benefit at the private market solution.
b. Private costs exceed private benefits at the private market solution.
c. Social value exceeds private value at the private market solution.
d. Private costs exceed social benefit at the private market solution.
ANSWER: c
97. What term is used for a situation where one firm’s research yields knowledge that is used by society as a whole?
a. social cost
b. opportunity cost of technology
c. internalization of an externality
d. technology spillover
ANSWER: d
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. the government’s responsibility for subsidizing firms that are engaged in high-tech research
b. a firm’s research yields technological knowledge that can then be used by society as a whole
c. when firms engaged in technology research are taxed by the government if that research causes negative
externalities in the market
d. when firms invest in the latest production technology, the cost of that technology “spills over” to the prices
consumers must pay for the product
ANSWER: b
99. If the government wanted to ensure that the market reaches the social optimum in the presence of a technology
spillover, what should it do?
a. It should impose a corrective tax on any firm producing a technology spillover.
b. It should offer tax credits to consumers who are adversely affected by the new technology.
c. It should subsidize producers by an amount equal to the value of the technology spillover.
d. It should provide research grants to those firms not currently engaging in research to increase competition in
the industry.
ANSWER: c
100. To enhance the well-being of society, when will a social planner encourage firms to increase production?
a. when the firms are producing basic goods
b. when there is a shortage in the market
c. when technology spillovers are associated with production
d. when any negative externalities associated with production are imposed only upon consumers
ANSWER: c
101. To ensure the market reaches the social optimum in presence of a technology spillover, how should the government
subsidize producers?
a. by use of a corrective tax
b. by an amount equal to the value of the technology spillover
c. by helping those companies that are adversely affected by the new technology
d. by transferring income to the low-income portion of the population
ANSWER: b
102. With technology spillover, to ensure that the market equilibrium equals the social optimum, what should government
do?
a. It should impose a tax greater than the value of the technology spillover.
b. It should not allow production of any product that causes a technology spillover.
c. It should provide a subsidy equal to the value of the technology spillover.
d. It should reward those who benefit from the spillover.
ANSWER: c
103. If making computer chips yields greater spillovers than making potato chips, what do some economists argue that
government should do?
a. encourage the production of computer chips with subsidies
b. discourage the production of potato chips with taxes
c. encourage the production of potato chips with subsidies
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
d. discourage the production of computer chips with regulations
ANSWER: a
104. What is government intervention that aims to promote technology-enhancing industries called?
a. patented technology
b. intervention policy
c. industrial technology assistance
d. industrial policy
ANSWER: d
109. Almost all forms of transportation produce some type of pollution. What should be done about this situation?
a. The government should ban all transportation.
b. Society has to weigh the costs and benefits and decide how much pollution to allow.
c. Corporations should voluntarily reduce pollution levels with new car models.
d. The government should tax the types of transportation that pollute most.
ANSWER: b
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Chapter 10 - Externalities
113. Why are corrective taxes preferred over regulations to deal with pollution?
a. They reduce pollution at a lower cost to society than regulations.
b. They raise revenue and reduce pollution simultaneously, although efficiency is reduced.
c. They obtain faster results than regulations.
d. They allow for an accurate monitoring of pollution levels.
ANSWER: a
114. Why would corrective taxes NOT be preferred over regulations in order to reduce pollution?
a. They cause each factory to reduce pollution to the same maximum level.
b. They are a less costly solution to society than regulations.
c. They cause pollution levels to drop below the regulated amount.
d. They are a better solution for the environment than regulations.
ANSWER: a
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. Corrective taxes enhance economic efficiency.
b. Corrective taxes do not raise revenue from the government.
c. Corrective taxes cause deadweight loss.
d. Corrective taxes cannot be divided between the buyer and seller.
ANSWER: a
117. Which statement best describes most economists’ attitudes toward corrective taxes and direct regulation?
a. Corrective taxes are often preferred over direct regulation because they typically reduce externalities at a lower
cost.
b. Corrective taxes are less preferred than direct regulation because they typically reduce externalities at a higher
cost.
c. Corrective taxes are often preferred over direct regulation because they typically reduce externalities at a faster
rate.
d. Corrective taxes are less preferred than direct regulation because they typically reduce externalities at a slower
rate.
ANSWER: a
118. If the government were to impose a fee of $10,000 for each unit of air pollution released by a steel mill, what term
would be used for this policy?
a. subsidy
b. regulation
c. corrective tax
d. command-and-control policy
ANSWER: c
120. With a corrective tax, what is the nature of the supply curve for pollution rights?
a. elastic
b. perfectly elastic
c. inelastic
d. perfectly inelastic
ANSWER: b
121. What can be said when the government reverts to a command-and-control policy to solve an externality?
a. It is usually the most effective policy option available.
b. It creates policies that directly regulate behaviour.
c. It usually involves taxing consumption of a commodity.
d. It typically refers to the Coase theorem to structure the policy.
Chapter 10 - Externalities
ANSWER: b
122. When the government chooses an externality policy that aligns private incentives with social efficiency to solve an
externality, what does it do?
a. It provides incentives for private decision makers to solve the externality problem on their own.
b. It typically uses command-and-control techniques.
c. It follows a rule that the use of taxes is strictly forbidden.
d. It follows a rule that subsidies are always the best policy.
ANSWER: a
123. If the government were to limit the release of air pollution produced by a steel mill to 10,000 units, what would this
policy be considered?
a. a regulation
b. a corrective tax
c. a subsidy
d. a command-and-control policy
ANSWER: a
124. A local pub that allowed patrons to smoke was recently forced to close its doors because it did not comply with local
clean air standards. What example is provided by this decision?
a. direct regulation of an externality
b. corrective taxes
c. a Coase theorem solution to an externality
d. unjustified discrimination against smokers
ANSWER: a
126. If it is illegal for a biochemical manufacturer to release its waste into a nearby stream, what is this an example of?
a. a market-based policy
b. a command-and-control policy
c. a pollution permit
d. a transaction cost
ANSWER: b
127. With pollution permits, what is the nature of the supply curve for pollution rights?
a. elastic
b. perfectly elastic
c. inelastic
Chapter 10 - Externalities
d. perfectly inelastic
ANSWER: d
128. What are two ways to reduce pollution that require firms to pay to pollute?
a. corrective taxes and pollution permits
b. corrective taxes and a command-and-control policy
c. pollution permits and a command-and-control policy
d. pollution regulations and pollution permits
ANSWER: a
129. What is the difference between a corrective tax and pollution permits?
a. A corrective tax sets the price of pollution, and permits set the quantity of pollution.
b. A corrective tax provides a more efficient outcome than permits.
c. A corrective tax sets the quantity of pollution, and permits set the price of pollution.
d. Permits provide a more efficient outcome than a corrective tax.
ANSWER: a
130. In some cases, why might pollution permits be better than a corrective tax?
a. Pollution permits allow for a market solution while a corrective tax does not.
b. Pollution permits generate more revenue for the government than a corrective tax.
c. Pollution permits are never preferred over a corrective tax.
d. Pollution permits can have a maximum level of pollution set on them by the government.
ANSWER: d
Figure 10-6
131. Refer to Figure 10-6. Which curve best represents a corrective tax?
a. A
b. B
c. neither
d. both could represent a corrective tax depending on the industry being taxed
ANSWER: a
Chapter 10 - Externalities
a. a consumption tax
b. a corrective tax
c. an income tax
d. a luxury tax
ANSWER: b
133. What is one advantage of allowing a market for pollution permits to control the total amount of pollution released in
an area?
a. The government knows exactly how much each firm is allowed to pollute.
b. Government revenue from the sale of permits is greater than revenue from a corrective tax.
c. The initial allocation of permits to firms does not affect the efficiency of the market.
d. Firms will work together to eventually eliminate pollution.
ANSWER: c
134. What results once tradable pollution permits have been allocated to firms?
a. The government controls the price of permits.
b. Firms that can reduce pollution only at high cost will be willing to pay the most for the pollution permits.
c. The value of pollution-saving technology is always lower than the market value of a pollution permit.
d. The total amount of pollution governed by the permit will always decrease.
ANSWER: b
135. When one firm sells its pollution permit to another firm, what will most likely occur?
a. Only one firm benefits.
b. The total amount of pollution remains the same.
c. Social welfare is unaffected.
d. Over time, pollution will be eliminated.
ANSWER: b
137. Two firms, A and B, each currently dump 50 tonnes of chemicals into the local river. From now on both firms will
require a pollution permit for each tonne of pollution dumped. The government gives each firm 20 tonnes’ worth of
pollution permits, which it can either use or sell to the other firm. It costs Firm A $100 for each tonne of pollution that it
eliminates before it reaches the river, and it costs Firm B $50 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates before it
reaches the river. After the two firms buy or sell pollution permits from each other, what would we expect that Firm A and
Firm B will dump?
a. Firm A will dump 10 fewer tonnes of pollution into the river, and Firm B will dump 50 fewer tonnes of
pollution into the river.
b. Firm A will dump 50 fewer tonnes of pollution into the river, and Firm B will dump 10 fewer tonnes of
pollution into the river.
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c. Firm A will dump 50 fewer tonnes of pollution into the river, and Firm B will dump 10 more tonnes of
pollution into the river.
d. Firm A will dump 10 more tonnes of pollution into the river, and Firm B will dump 50 fewer tonnes of
pollution into the river.
ANSWER: a
138. Two firms, A and B, each currently dump 50 tonnes of chemicals into the local river. From now on both firms will
require a pollution permit for each tonne of pollution dumped into the river. The government gives each firm 20 tonnes’
worth of pollution permits, which it can either use or sell to the other firm. It costs Firm A $100 for each tonne of
pollution that it eliminates before it reaches the river, and it costs Firm B $50 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates
before it reaches the river. What is likely to happen?
a. Firm A will buy all of Firm B’s pollution permits. Each one will cost less than $50.
b. Firm A will buy all of Firm B’s pollution permits. Each one will cost between $50 and $100.
c. Firm B will buy all of Firm A’s pollution permits. Each one will cost between $50 and $100.
d. Firm B will buy all of Firm A’s pollution permits. Each one will cost less than $50.
ANSWER: b
139. Two firms, A and B, each currently dump 50 tonnes of chemicals into the local river. From now on both firms will
require a pollution permit for each tonne of pollution dumped. It costs Firm A $100 for each tonne of pollution that it
eliminates before it reaches the river, and it costs Firm B $50 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates before it
reaches the river. The government gives each firm 20 pollution permits. What is the total cost of reducing pollution if the
firms are NOT allowed to buy and sell pollution permits from each other, and, NOT including the cost of buying?
a. $3000
b. $3500
c. $4000
d. $4500
ANSWER: d
140. Two firms, A and B, each currently dump 20 tonnes of chemicals into the local river. From now on both firms will
require a pollution permit for each tonne of pollution dumped into the river. The government gives each firm 10 pollution
permits, which it can either use or sell to the other firm. It costs Firm A $100 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates
before it reaches the river, and it costs Firm B $50 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates before it reaches the river.
After the two firms buy or sell pollution permits from each other, what would we expect?
a. Firm A will no longer pollute, and Firm B will not reduce its pollution at all.
b. Firm B will no longer pollute, and Firm A will not reduce its pollution at all.
c. Firm A will dump 10 tonnes of pollution into the river, and Firm B will dump 10 tonnes of pollution into the
river.
d. Firm A will increase its pollution, and Firm B will reduce its pollution.
ANSWER: b
141. Two firms, A and B, each currently dump 50 tonnes of chemicals into the local river. From now on both firms will
require a pollution permit for each tonne of pollution dumped into the river. The government will sell 40 pollution permits
for $75 each. It costs Firm A $100 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates before it reaches the river, and it costs
Firm B $50 for each tonne of pollution that it eliminates before it reaches the river. Between the cost of permits and the
cost of additional pollution abatement, what is likely to happen?
a. Firm B will spend $3000.
b. Firm B will spend $3500.
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c. Firm A will spend $4000.
d. Firm A will spend $4500.
ANSWER: c
142. What can the Golden Rule be used as a private solution for?
a. reducing crime
b. internalizing externalities
c. coping with overproduction
d. coping with scarcity
ANSWER: b
143. What are two types of private solutions to the problem of externalities?
a. charities and the Golden Rule
b. charities and subsidies
c. the Golden Rule and taxes
d. taxes and subsidies
ANSWER: a
144. When externalities cause markets to be inefficient, what can solve the problem?
a. Government action is always needed to solve the problem.
b. Private solutions can always be developed to solve the problem.
c. Given enough time, externalities can be solved through normal market adjustments.
d. Both private parties and government can provide solutions to the problem.
ANSWER: b
145. Since externalities tend to keep markets from reaching a socially optimal equilibrium, when is government action
needed?
a. It is always needed, because private solutions can never be attained.
b. It is needed when private solutions fail to arise.
c. It will be needed only to correct for positive externalities.
d. It will be needed only to compensate consumers.
ANSWER: b
146. What is one reason that some firms are involved in multiple types of businesses?
a. to increase private profit at the expense of consumers
b. to internalize some forms of positive externalities
c. to internalize some forms of negative externalities
d. to reduce the impact of government regulation on their business
ANSWER: b
147. What result could private contracts between parties with mutual interests lead to?
a. They can only reduce the well-being of society.
b. They will always lead to market outcomes in which the public interest is sacrificed for personal gain.
c. They can solve some inefficiencies associated with positive externalities.
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d. They will always cause negative externalities to arise.
ANSWER: c
148. What are two ways that private markets can solve the problem of externalities?
a. integrating businesses and subsidies
b. contracts and patents
c. integrating businesses and contracts
d. subsidies and patents
ANSWER: c
149. Which concept suggests that the private market can be effective in dealing with externalities?
a. the “invisible hand”
b. the law of diminishing social returns
c. the Coase theorem
d. technology policy
ANSWER: c
150. According to the Coase theorem, under which conditions can private parties solve the problem of externalities?
a. if the cost of bargaining is small
b. if the initial distribution of rights favours the person being adversely affected by the externality
c. if the number of parties involved is sufficiently large
d. if the number of parties involved is sufficiently small
ANSWER: a
151. According to the Coase theorem, when will private markets solve externality problems and allocate resources
efficiently?
a. as long as private parties can bargain without cost
b. as long as government assigns property rights to the harmed party
c. as long as the externalities that are present are positive and not negative
d. as long as businesses determine an appropriate level of production
ANSWER: a
152. Brennan owns a dog whose barking annoys Brennan’s neighbour Emily. Suppose that the benefit of owning the dog
is worth $500 to Brennan and that Emily bears a cost of $700 from the barking. Assuming Brennan has the legal right to
keep the dog, what is a possible private solution to this problem?
a. Emily pays Brennan $499 to get rid of the dog.
b. Brennan pays Emily $650 for her inconvenience.
c. Emily pays Brennan $650 to get rid of the dog.
d. There is no private solution that would improve this situation.
ANSWER: c
153. Brennan owns a dog whose barking annoys Brennan’s neighbour Emily. Suppose that the benefit of owning the dog
is worth $700 to Brennan and that Emily bears a cost of $500 from the barking. Assuming Brennan has the legal right to
keep the dog, what is a possible private solution to this problem?
a. Emily pays Brennan $650 to get rid of the dog.
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b. Emily pays Brennan $700 to get rid of the dog.
c. Brennan pays Emily $500 for her inconvenience.
d. There is no private solution that would improve this situation.
ANSWER: d
154. Brennan owns a dog whose barking annoys Brennan’s neighbour Emily. Brennan receives personal benefit from
owning the dog, and Emily bears a cost of Brennan’s ownership of the dog. Assuming Brennan has the legal right to keep
the dog, when can a private solution be arranged?
a. A private solution can always be arranged.
b. A private solution can be arranged only if the cost Emily bears exceeds the benefit Brennan gets from his dog.
c. A private solution can be arranged only if Emily’s cost equals Brennan’s benefit from the dog.
d. A private solution can be arranged only if Brennan’s benefit from his dog exceeds Emily’s cost.
ANSWER: b
155. Brennan owns a dog whose barking annoys Brennan’s neighbour Emily. Brennan receives personal benefit from
owning the dog, and Emily bears a cost of Brennan’s ownership of the dog. Assuming Emily has the legal right to peace
and quiet, which action is necessary?
a. If Brennan’s benefit exceeds Emily’s cost, government intervention is necessary.
b. Brennan will pay to keep his dog if his benefit exceeds Emily’s cost.
c. If Emily’s cost exceeds Brennan’s benefit, Brennan will pay Emily to keep his dog.
d. If Emily has the legal right to peace and quiet, she only has to pay Brennan when her cost is below his benefit.
ANSWER: b
156. Chad’s maple tree hangs over Amy’s fence and drops leaves into her yard each autumn. The benefit to Chad of lower
utility bills is about $300. The cost to Amy of having her lawn cleaned and reseeded is $350. Based on the Coase theorem,
what should result?
a. Amy should pay Chad $325 to cut down the tree.
b. Chad should pay Amy $350 to have her lawn repaired and cleaned.
c. Chad should pay Amy $400 to keep the tree.
d. Amy should build a higher fence.
ANSWER: a
158. When does the Coase theorem suggest that private markets may NOT be able to solve the problem of externalities?
a. when the number of interested parties is large and bargaining costs are high
b. when government does not actively become involved in the process
c. when the firm in the market is a monopoly
d. when some people benefit from the externality
Chapter 10 - Externalities
ANSWER: a
159. According to the Coase theorem, how can an efficient outcome be reached?
a. Private parties can bargain to reach an efficient outcome.
b. Government assistance is necessary for markets with externalities to reach an efficient outcome.
c. Both positive and negative externalities will always lead to inefficient outcomes in the markets.
d. No market will experience long-term externalities since normal market adjustments will eliminate
externalities.
ANSWER: a
160. Often, private solutions are not possible due to the costs of negotiating and enforcing these solutions. What are such
costs called?
a. transaction costs
b. opportunity costs
c. deadweight loss
d. corrective taxes
ANSWER: a
162. What is one reason private solutions to externalities do NOT always work?
a. Government participation in such solutions complicates the process.
b. Some people benefit from externalities.
c. Interested parties incur costs in the bargaining process.
d. The actual costs and benefits of the problem are difficult to see.
ANSWER: c
163. What happens when parties who are bargaining to eliminate an externality problem hold out for a better deal?
a. Bargaining breaks down and the inefficient outcome persists.
b. The eventual outcome will maximize total well-being.
c. Transaction costs must be reduced as part of the bargain.
d. One party will gain more than the other party.
ANSWER: a
164. If only a few people are affected by an externality, what will likely happen?
a. Corrective taxes will provide the most efficient solution to the externality.
b. Command-and-control regulation will provide the most efficient solution to the externality.
c. A private solution to the inefficiency will occur.
d. A private solution will be very difficult to negotiate.
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ANSWER: c
166. What type of cost involved when employing a lawyer to draft and enforce a private contract between parties wishing
to solve an externality problem?
a. an opportunity cost
b. an implicit cost
c. a sunk cost
d. a transaction cost
ANSWER: d
167. In class action lawsuits, interested parties to the lawsuit are not required to pay attorney fees directly. This is an
example of an attempt to do what?
a. increase attorney fees by charging a percentage of the final settlement
b. reduce the incentive of attorneys to take on class action lawsuits
c. reduce the transaction costs of finding a private solution to an externality
d. regulate attorney fees in class action lawsuits
ANSWER: c
168. Nancy loves to landscape her yard, but her neighbour, Lee, places a low value on his landscaping. When Lee’s grass
is neglected and gets long, Nancy will mow it for Lee. What is this an example of?
a. a situation in which the Coase theorem fails to explain the lawn mowing arrangement
b. improper allocation of resources
c. a private solution to a negative externality problem
d. an exploitation of a common resource
ANSWER: c
169. What does the Coase theorem suggest about private solutions to the externality problem?
a. They will always allocate resources efficiently if private parties can bargain without cost.
b. They are effective under all conditions.
c. They are only efficient when there are negative externalities.
d. They may not be possible because of the distribution of property rights.
ANSWER: a
170. Assume that your roommate, Vanessa, is very messy and that she has the right to be messy. Suppose she gets a $100
benefit from being messy but imposes a $200 cost on you. What would the Coase theorem suggest would be an efficient
solution for you?
a. to pay your roommate $99.99 to clean up after herself
b. to pay your roommate at least $100 but no more than $200 to clean up after herself
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c. to pay your roommate at least $201 to clean up after herself
d. to charge your roommate at least $100 to have you clean up after her
ANSWER: b
171. Assume that your roommate, Vanessa, is very messy, and according to campus policy, you have a right to live in an
uncluttered apartment. Suppose she gets a $200 benefit from being messy but imposes a $100 cost on you. What would
the Coase theorem suggest would be an efficient solution for your roommate?
a. to pay you $99.99 to live with the clutter
b. to pay you at least $100 but less than $200 to live with the clutter
c. to demand payment of at least $100 but no more than $200 to clean up after herself
d. to demand payment of $200 to clean up after herself
ANSWER: b
172. Anita enjoys growing flowers in her yard and has a lot of spare time, but she can’t afford the $100 it costs to buy
flower seeds, fertilizer, and water. Sally, who has a good view of Anita’s yard, would also enjoy Anita’s flowers. Sally
has plenty of money but has no time to plant flowers. According to the Coase theorem, which of the following is most
likely?
a. The city government should give Anita the $100 needed to grow flowers.
b. The city government should require Anita to grow flowers.
c. Sally and Anita might both be better off if Sally gave $100 to Anita to plant flowers.
d. Sally and Anita would definitely both be better off if Sally gave $100 to Anita to plant flowers.
ANSWER: c
173. In which case is the Coase theorem most likely to work to solve an externality?
a. Richard is annoyed because his roommate smokes.
b. Chemicals from farms in the Mississippi Valley are polluting the Gulf of Mexico.
c. Car exhaust in a small town is making one of its residents ill.
d. Industrialization around the world is causing global warming.
ANSWER: a
174. When a transaction between a buyer and seller directly affects a third party, the effect is called an externality.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
175. In a market characterized by externalities, the market equilibrium fails to maximize the total benefit to society as a
whole.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
176. Negative externalities lead markets to produce a smaller quantity of a good than is socially desirable, while positive
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externalities lead markets to produce a larger quantity of a good than is socially desirable.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
177. Organizers of an outdoor concert in a park surrounded by residential neighbourhoods are likely to consider the noise
and traffic cost to residential neighbourhoods when they assess the financial viability of the concert venture.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
178. The social cost of pollution includes the private costs of the producers plus the costs to those bystanders affected
adversely by the pollution.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
179. Internalizing a negative externality will cause the market supply curve to shift to the left.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
180. The government can internalize an externality by taxing goods that have negative externalities and subsidizing goods
that have positive externalities.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
181. If the social cost of producing robots is more than the private cost of producing robots, the private market produces
too many robots.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
182. The patent system gives firms greater incentive to engage in research and other activities that advance technology.
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a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
184. According to the Coase theorem, if private parties can bargain without cost, then the private market will always solve
the problem of externalities.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
185. According to the Coase theorem, whatever the initial distribution of rights, the interested parties can reach a bargain
in which everyone is better off and the outcome is efficient.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
186. According to the Coase theorem, the private market will need government intervention in order to reach an efficient
outcome.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
187. Despite the appealing logic of the Coase theorem, private actors often fail to resolve the problems caused by
externalities on their own.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
188. Private parties may choose to leave an externality problem unsolved if the transaction costs are large enough.
a. True
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b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
189. Government can be used to solve externality problems that are too costly for private parties to solve.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
190. Despite the stated goals of some environmentalists, it would be impossible to prohibit all polluting activity.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
191. Most economists prefer regulation to taxation because regulation corrects market inefficiencies at a lower cost than
taxation does.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
192. When correcting for an externality, command-and-control policies are always preferable to market-based policies.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
193. In essence, the corrective tax places a price on the right to pollute.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
194. Equal reduction in pollution, among all firms, is the least expensive way to clean up the environment.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
Chapter 10 - Externalities
ANSWER: False
195. Social welfare can be enhanced by allowing firms to trade their rights to pollute.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
196. A market for pollution permits can efficiently allocate the right to pollute by the forces of supply and demand.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
197. Firms that can reduce pollution easily would be willing to sell their pollution permits.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
198. Both pollution permits and corrective taxes are viewed as cost-effective ways to keep the environment clean.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
199. What is meant by “internalizing” an externality? How can a negative externality be internalized?
ANSWER: Internalizing an externality means that the parties to a market exchange perceive the external cost or benefit as
a “cost” or “benefit” that accrues to them as part of the market exchange. One way of internalizing a negative
externality is through a unit tax (corrective tax) on production and/or consumption.
200. Using a supply and demand diagram, demonstrate how a negative externality leads to market inefficiency. How
might the government help to eliminate this inefficiency?
Chapter 10 - Externalities
ANSWER:
A negative externality leads the market to exchange a larger quantity than is socially desirable (Q0). The
government could help eliminate this inefficiency by taxing the product (Q1).
201. Using a supply and demand diagram, demonstrate how a positive externality leads to market inefficiency. How might
the government help to eliminate this inefficiency?
ANSWER:
A positive externality leads the market to exchange a smaller quantity than is socially desirable (Qmarket). The
government could help eliminate this inefficiency by subsidizing the product (Qoptimum).
202. To produce honey, beekeepers place hives of bees in the fields of farmers. As bees gather nectar, they pollinate the
crops in the fields, increasing the yields of these fields at no additional cost to the farmer. What might be a reasonable
private solution to this externality and how might the solution be reached?
ANSWER: One solution would be to have the farmer also own the beehives. This internalizes the externality. Another
solution would be to have the farmer compensate the owner of the beehives for the value of the pollination. On
the other hand, the owner of the beehives prospers by locating her hives next to the farmer’s fields. She should
be willing to compensate the farmer for this benefit.
203. The Coase theorem suggests that efficient solutions to externalities can be arrived at through bargaining. Under what
circumstances does this fail to produce a solution?
ANSWER: 1. Significant transaction costs deter the parties from bargaining.
2. Parties may try to hold out for a better deal, and thus the bargaining process breaks down.
3. The number of parties to a bargaining process is large making coordination costly.
204. Why are public policy solutions such as corrective taxes and subsidies preferred over regulatory policies?
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ANSWER: The preference for corrective taxes and subsidies is based on the ability of markets to signal optimal resource
allocation.
205. Graphically illustrate the quantity of pollution that would be emitted (a) after a corrective tax has been imposed and
then (b) after tradable pollution permits have been imposed. Could these two quantities ever be equal?
ANSWER:
Yes, these two quantities could be equal. (For instance, if PB is equal to the amount of the corrective tax.)
206. Imagine you are a nonsmoker sharing a house with a smoker. According to the Coase theorem, what determines
whether your roommate smokes in the house? Is this outcome efficient? How do you and your roommate reach this
solution?
ANSWER: According to the Coase theorem, you and your roommate will bargain over whether your roommate will
smoke in the house. If you value clean air more than your roommate values smoking, the bargaining process
will lead to your roommate not smoking. But if your roommate values smoking more than you value clean air,
the bargaining process will lead to your roommate smoking. The outcome is efficient as long as transaction
costs do not prevent an agreement from taking place. The solution may be reached by one of you paying off
the other either not to smoke or for the right to smoke.
207. Using a demand and supply framework, explain why governments subsidize university education.
ANSWER:
Education creates a positive externality in consumption. That is, education’s value to society is greater than
the value to private consumers. We can internalize the externality by subsidizing education. This explains
why education is one of the most highly subsidized goods.
208. Collectively, the 10,000 residents of Credit Valley value swimming in Christy Lake at $100,000. A nearby factory
pollutes the lake water and would have to pay $50,000 for nonpolluting equipment.
A. Using the Coase Theorem, develop a solution to this problem.
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B. Can you think of any reasons why this solution might not work in the real world?
ANSWER: A. Each resident values swimming in the lake at $10. If they each paid the factory $5 to install the equipment,
then every resident and the factory would be better off.
B Coordinating all 10,000 residents to make the payment would take some effort and might be too difficult to
achieve.
209. Brennan and Emily are neighbours; Brennan owns a dog named Spot. Spot barks and disturbs Emily.
a. Brennan gets a $500 benefit from the dog and Emily bears an $800 cost from the dog’s barking. Can Brennan and
Emily reach a solution from private bargaining? Is this solution an efficient outcome?
b. Brennan gets $1000 benefit from the dog and Emily bears an $800 cost from the dog’s barking. Can Brennan and
Emily reach a solution from private bargaining? Is this solution an efficient outcome?
c. If there are another 20 people who live on the same street as Brennan and Emily and some of them also did not like
Spot, will the solution reached in parts a and b change?
ANSWER: a. Emily can offer a price between $500 and $800 to get rid of the dog, and Brennan will gladly accept. Both
parties are better off and the efficient outcome is reached.
b. Brennan would turn down any offer below $1000, while Emily would not offer any amount above $800.
Brennan keeps the dog and the outcome is efficient.
c. When the number of interested bargaining parties increases, coordinating everyone becomes costly. In this
case, solutions reached in parts a and b may not hold.
210. The Credit River has two polluting firms on its banks. Plants A and B each dump 100 tonnes of effluent into the river
each year. The cost per tonne of reducing emissions is $20 for plant A and $100 for Plant B. The government wants to
reduce overall pollution from 200 tonnes to 50 tonnes.
a. If the government knew the cost of reduction for each firm, what reductions would it impose in order to achieve its
overall goal at the least possible total cost? What would be the cost to each firm, and the total cost?
b. If, in the absence of information about each firm’s costs, the government decided to reach its overall goal by imposing
uniform reductions on the firms, what would be the cost to each firm, and the total cost?
c. Compare the total costs in parts a and b. If the government does not know the cost of pollution reduction for each firm,
is there still some way to reduce pollution to 50 tonnes at the total cost calculated in part a?
ANSWER: a. If the government knew the cost of reduction at each firm, it would have plant A eliminate all its pollution
(at a cost of $20 per ton times 100 tonnes = $2000) and have plant B eliminate half of its pollution (at a cost of
$100 per tonne times 50 tonnes = $5000). This minimizes the total cost ($7000) of reducing the remaining
pollution to 50 tonnes.
b. If each firm had to reduce pollution to 25 tonnes (so each had to reduce pollution by 75 tonnes), the cost to
plant A would be 75 × $20 = $1500 and the cost to Plant B would be 75 × $100 = $7500. The total cost would
be $9000.
c. In part a, it costs $7000 to reduce total pollution to 50 tonnes, but in part b it costs $9000. So it is definitely
less costly to have Plant A reduce all of its pollution and have Plant B cut its pollution in half. Even without
knowing the costs of pollution reduction, the government could achieve the same result by auctioning off
pollution permits that would allow only 50 tonnes of pollution. This would ensure that plant A reduced its
pollution to zero (because Plant B would outbid it for the permits) and Plant B would then reduce its pollution
to 50 tonnes.
Laskekaa!
PRINSSI
En laske lunnaitta!
IMANDRA
Hahhaa!
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
Ja taikinanmarjoilla.
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
Tämä jänis nauraa vielä kuoltuaankin.
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
KEPULI
HEPULI
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA (keimaillen)
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
Anteeksi, minä en ole huvitettu metsästysjutuista. Tehän ammuitte
aina ohi. —
HOVIHERRA
Sallikaa minun… sen tein joskus säälistä, sillä minulla on niin hellä
sydän. Mutta tänään minä tahdon teidän kunniaksenne näyttää,
että…
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
Ritari epävakaa. Mutta uh, mikä tuolla on! Onko se iso hiiri?
HOVIHERRA (juoksee kivelle)
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIHERRA
Rauhoittukaa! Nyt minä keksin keinon. Hiipikää hiljaa ja tuokaa
minun vanha tussarini, joka on puun juurella, tuolla!
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
PRINSESSA
HOVIHERRA
Prinsessa!
PRINSESSA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIROUVA
IMANDRA
Prinssin häissä?
HOVIROUVA
Imandra, prinsessa, te täällä? Mikä omituinen sattuma. Mutta
prinsessa, kuinka olette joutunut tänne?
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
Oh, ei!
HOVIROUVA
IMANDRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIROUVA
IMANDRA
HOVIHERRA
IMANDRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
IMANDRA
Hän teki samaa kuin paimenpoikakin. Ei, ei, hän vei väkisin…
Hym, hym. Nyt minä tiedän, hän aikoi ehkä suudella prinsessaa.
IMANDRA
Niin.
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
IMANDRA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
Prinsessa! Ehkä te olette lukenut tämän seikkailun
ryövärikirjoistanne.
IMANDRA
En, tämä on suora totuus niinkuin minä nyt tässä suorana seison.
(Polkee jalkaansa.) Prinssin täytyy pyytää anteeksi.
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
Mutta se kynsi voi raappia niinkuin kissan kynsi. Tämä asia täytyy
painaa pehmeällä pumpulilla.
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
IMANDRA
En, en, en!
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
IMANDRA
En ymmärrä.
HOVIHERRA
En minäkään ymmärrä mitään. Hehhee! Hovisalaisuus! (Asettaa
sormen suulleen.)
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
HOVIROUVA
HOVIHERRA
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
Tämä metsä on kirottu, minä eksyin. Oh, kuinka minä olen sinua
etsinyt. Kas tässä, tein sinulle virsut.
IMANDRA
Löysitkö mitään?
PRINSSI
En niin mitään.
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
Yh, ei ne maistu.
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
Ei, ei!
PRINSSI
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
Olisit ollut täällä äsken, se on niin ilkeätä, etten voi sitä sanoa.
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
Juuri niin.
PRINSSI
Tulivatko hakemaan?
IMANDRA
Nii — niin.
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
Kultaseni?
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
En tiedä.
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
Entä sinä?
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
Entä sitten?
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
Hahhaa.
IMANDRA
Mitä sinä siinä naurat. — Sitten puhui hän sinusta. Sinähän olet
prinssin metsänvartija, miksi et sitä ennen sanonut?
PRINSSI
IMANDRA
PRINSSI
IMANDRA