After Natural Disasters Such as Hurricanes, the Prices of Necessity

question 271

Essay

After natural disasters such as hurricanes, the prices of necessity goods such as bottled water, generators, milk, and so forth, in the areas hit by the hurricane tend to increase dramatically. Many consumers and politicians have termed these increases "price gouging," as they insinuate that suppliers are taking advantage of consumers when they are most vulnerable. Governments have even gone so far as to make price gouging illegal, saying in many places that it is illegal to charge any price significantly higher than "pre-hurricane prices." From an economic standpoint, are these laws that prohibit price gouging efficient? What would happen if these laws were repealed and prices were allowed to increase?

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Definitions:

Incandescent Bulbs

Light bulbs that produce light by heating a filament wire to a high temperature until it glows, known for their warm light but low efficiency.

Incandescent Bulb

A type of lighting that works by heating a filament inside a bulb until it glows, producing light.

Inert Gas

A gas which does not undergo chemical reactions under a set of given conditions, often used as a protective atmosphere.

Tachometer

An instrument used to indicate shaft speed.