One rationale for government involvement in health care markets is that government involvement is necessary to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, which can be a type of externality. Which of the following is not an example of a public health externality? a. The provision of vaccinations against communicable diseases. b. The provision of clean […]
Which of the following is not an advantage of user charges? a. User charges help ration consumption of the taxed good. b. User charges are equitable from the standpoint of the benefit principle of taxation. c. User charges reveal consumer preferences for the taxed good. d. User chargers are easy to apply in cases where […]
The conclusion of the median voter model is that_____. a. private sector demands of the median voter influences their demand for public goods b. the median voter is omniscient c. public sector demand will be the demand of the median voter d. decision-making costs will be high if the median voter is rationally ignorant […]
Describe the argument that education generates a positive externality. Why might this externality not be relevant in terms of economic efficiency? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Education is often said to produce a positive externality because there are positive spillovers from getting an education for which the consumer of education is not […]
One advantage of ad valorem taxes over unit taxes is that _____. a. the tax is more difficult to evade b. the tax is easier to collect c. the tax increases with inflation d. the tax automatically adjusts for inflation ANSWER d
How has the financing of elementary and secondary education changed in the United States since 1940? What is the primary reason for this trend? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Historically, elementary and secondary education in the United States was a local enterprise. This meant school financing was traditionally financed mostly at the […]
“Americans hate broccoli.” “Because so few Americans like broccoli, average broccoli sales are lower in America then anywhere else.” Which of these two statements about the preferences of Americans is more accurate? Why? What will be an ideal response? ANSWER The second statement is more accurate because groups do not have preferences, only individuals […]
A unit tax has an advantage over an ad valorem tax in situations when _____. a. inflation is high b. it is easy to estimate the value of the good being taxed c. it is difficult to estimate the value of the good being taxed d. inflation is low ANSWER c
Provide arguments for and against education vouchers. What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Education vouchers are attractive policy options because they introduce competition into the public education system. The hope is that just like in other areas of life, choice and competition will increase the quality of goods provided and lower the cost. […]
List two economic reasons why representative democracy makes sense What will be an ideal response? ANSWER Representative democracy makes economic sense for two reasons. First, having fewer individuals involved in the decision-making process will lower the costs of making decisions. Second, there are benefits from specialization and having some individuals specialize in politics (or […]
