内容正文:
EXTERNALITIES
Chapter 5
1
Externalities
Externality – An activity of one entity that affects the welfare of another entity in a way that is outside the market mechanism
A paper mill’s production of the carcinogen dioxin increases society’s health care costs; these costs to society are not included in the paper mill’s paper price
However, when large numbers of suburbanites relocate to a city, society is affected, although the effect is captured through higher prices of city housing
©2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.
5-2
2
The Nature of Externalities
Privately-owned vs. commonly-owned resources
A privately owned resource: its price reflects its value so used efficiently (MSC=MSB)
A commonly-owned resource (air, oceans): price ($0) does not reflect its value so used inefficiently (MSC>MSB)
Externalities can be produced by consumers & firms
Externalities are reciprocal in nature
Externalities can be positive or negative
Public goods can be viewed as a special kind of externality
©2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.
5-3
3
The Nature of Externalities-Graphical Analysis
Q per year
$
MB
0
MD
MPC
MSC = MPC + MD
Q1
Q*
Actual output
Socially efficient output
a
b
c
d
f
e
g
h
Reduction from Q1 to Q* means dcg profit loss for Supplier and dchg welfare gain for Demander.
©2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.
5-4
4
Axes and labels
1st click – MB
2nd click – MPC, Q1
3rd click – MD
4t click – MSC, Q*
What Pollutants Do Harm?
Empirical Research on Pollution Effects on Health
Difficult to measure because of inability to perform randomized studies on pollution effects
Must rely on cross-sectional or time-series analysis
Studies unable to measure lifetime exposure to air pollution
Once pollutant identified:
Must identify the activities that produce the pollutant
Must identify the value of the damage done
Must identify the costs of remedying the damage
Empirical Evidence: The Effect of Air Pollution on Housing Values
©2014 by McGraw-Hill