Table 17-28 Suppose That Two Firms Determine That Each Could Lower Its

question 312

Multiple Choice

Table 17-28
Suppose that two firms determine that each could lower its costs and increase its profits if both reduced their advertising budgets. But in order for the plan to work, each firm must agree to refrain from advertising. Each firm believes that advertising works by increasing the demand for the firm's product, but each firm also believes that if neither firm advertises, the cost savings will outweigh the lost sales. The table below lists each firm's individual profits:
Firm A
Breaks agreement Maintains agreement
and advertises and does not advertise
-Refer to Table 17-28. Which of the following statements does not correctly characterize the outcome of this game?

• A)There is a Nash equilibrium.
• B)Both firms collectively would earn the highest joint profits by maintaining the agreement not to advertise.
• C)Only one firm has a dominant strategy.
• D)The game is an example of the Prisoners' Dilemma.

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Definitions:

Diminishing Marginal Utility

The principle that as a consumer consumes more of a good or service, the additional satisfaction gained from each additional unit decreases.

Command Systems

Economic systems where the government or a central authority makes all decisions about what goods and services are produced, how they are produced, and who gets them.

Pure Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private property rights and the market allocating resources with little government intervention.

Laissez-Faire Capitalism

Laissez-Faire Capitalism is an economic system where private parties are free from government intervention like regulations, privileges, tariffs, and subsidies, with property rights upheld.