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How do externalities impact the determination of the socially optimal quantity in a market?
Externalities can affect the socially optimal quantity in a market by causing a divergence between private costs and social costs. When externalities are present, the market may produce more or less than the socially optimal quantity, leading to inefficiency. This can result in overproduction or underproduction of goods and services, which can have negative impacts on society as a whole.
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How can one determine the socially optimal quantity for a given product or service?
One can determine the socially optimal quantity for a product or service by finding the point where the marginal social benefit equals the marginal social cost. This means considering the benefits and costs to society as a whole, rather than just individual consumers or producers. By analyzing factors such as externalities, market failures, and public goods, policymakers can make decisions to achieve the socially optimal quantity.
How can one identify and calculate deadweight loss in a market?
To identify and calculate deadweight loss in a market, one can look at the difference between the quantity of a good or service that is produced and consumed at the equilibrium price and the quantity that would be produced and consumed at the socially optimal level. Deadweight loss can be calculated by finding the area of the triangle formed by the supply and demand curves where the quantity traded is less than the socially optimal level.
How does an externality relate to socially optimal quantity?
In the presence of an externality (positive or negative), individual economic actors produce a socially inefficient amount of a good (since they do not include social gains or costs in their calculations). Thus, in general, when there is a Negative externality, firms are overproducing a good with a social cost and thus the optimal equilibrium occurs at decreased production. Positive externality, firms are underproducing a good with a social benefit and thus the optimal equilibrium occurs at increased production.
Does marginal surplus exist when consumers buy more products than socially optimal?
No
What does socially optimal means in economics?
The socially optimal point of production for a firm in a monopolisticly-competitive industry, or in a monopoly, or in an oligopoly is the point where the average cost curve (ATC) intersects the demand curve (or average revenue curve). At this point, the total profit of the monopoly is zero, so the point is said to be "socially optimal" as the firm does not retain any profits from its operation, and all the benefits of running the business are passed on to society.
