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Market Failure and Intervention

Quick questions on Negative and positive externalities explained: H2 Economics

4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is positive externality (under-production)?
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Take a positive externality in consumption, such as vaccination, which protects others by reducing disease spread. The marginal external benefit makes MSBMSB lie above MPBMPB. The market produces where MPB=MPCMPB = MPC, at QmQ_m, but the optimum is where MSB=MSCMSB = MSC, at Q^. Because individuals ignore the benefit to others, Q_m < Q^: the market under-produces.
What is q1?
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Define a negative externality. [2 marks]
What is q2?
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Explain why a positive externality leads to under-production. [3 marks]
What is q3?
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Where is the welfare loss from a negative production externality shown? [2 marks]

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