📚 Learning Guide
Externality Graphs in Economics
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Arrange the following steps in the correct order to analyze the impact of a negative externality, such as pollution from copper production, on market efficiency: A) Identify the marginal private cost, B) Determine the marginal social cost, C) Assess the welfare loss, D) Propose a corrective measure such as a tax.

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A → B → C → D

B

B → A → D → C

C

A → C → B → D

D

C → B → A → D

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

To analyze the impact of a negative externality like pollution from copper production on market efficiency, you should start by identifying the marginal private cost, which is the cost incurred by producers for producing one more unit of copper. Next, determine the marginal social cost, which includes both the private costs and the external costs, such as the health and environmental impacts of pollution. Once you have these costs, you can assess the welfare loss, which represents the loss in economic efficiency due to the negative externality. Finally, propose a corrective measure, such as implementing a tax on the copper producers to account for the pollution they cause, encouraging them to reduce output to a more efficient level. For example, if copper production leads to significant pollution costs, a tax can help align private costs with social costs, leading to a more efficient market outcome.

Detailed Explanation

First, we find the marginal private cost, which is what producers pay. Other options are incorrect because This option starts with social costs, which come after private costs; This option skips finding social costs before assessing welfare loss.

Key Concepts

Negative Externalities
Market Efficiency
Government Intervention
Topic

Externality Graphs in Economics

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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