Answers and Reference Sources


Question #1
(B) market failure

The other three answers are all types of market failures.







































Question #2
(E) a and b only

Both public schools and national defense can be jointly consumed and exclusion is not feasible (the definition of a pure public good).

(C) is incorrect.  Grazing lands are considered a common pool resource because they can not be jointly consumed.  Once they are consumed then they are not available for others.







































Question #3
(C) the company recognizes the full cost of producing the product (now it also is paying to reduce the pollution)

The purpose of regulating in this way is so the industry recognizes the full cost of the product.  Without these regulations, the business would produce in the least costly way and likely not install environmental controls (more costly).  The result would be that others would bear the cost of the pollution.  For example, the health problems caused by the pollution would be paid by those getting sick.







































Question #4
(B) goods and services purchased that are health related

For these goods, information failures are problems because the failure could be very dramatic (e.g., death).

(A) is incorrect because even if there is something wrong with the product, the market can adjust.  For example, you don't buy that good anymore and you are not too adversely affected.







































Question #5
(D) all of the above

While we discussed market failures as an economic reason for government involvement it is not the only reason.  Government may get involved for political or moral reasons as well.