ECON 20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Coase Theorem, Externality, Economic Surplus

4 views2 pages

Document Summary

Externalities refer to the external costs or benefits of an activity, i. e. costs or benefits that affect a third party. The effects of externalities can be summed as follows: Individuals that consider only their own costs and benefits will engage too much in activities that cause negative externalities and too little in those that generate positive externalities. Thus, when externalities exist, the pursuit of self interests will not result in socially optimal quantities. Irrelevant externalities - are effects on the welfare of people other than those directly involved in a transaction that occurs via changes in relative prices. This is referring to the effects of the "invisible hand and its allocative function" Inframarginal externalities - the marginal consumer experiences no benefits or loss. Positional externalities - a change in 1 persons performance changes the expected reward of another person in situations in which rewards are dependent upon relative performance.

Get access

Grade+
$40 USD/m
Billed monthly
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
10 Verified Answers
Class+
$30 USD/m
Billed monthly
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
7 Verified Answers

Related Documents

Related Questions