Cost-Benefit Analysis Is Important to Determine the Role of Government

question 133

Multiple Choice

Cost-benefit analysis is important to determine the role of government in our economy because

• A)the government should provide all goods for which the benefits exceed the costs.
• B)cost-benefit analysis identifies the possible gains to society from government provision of a particular good.
• C)markets for private goods cannot effectively assign costs and benefits.
• D)cost-benefit analysis is the best tool to identify market failures.

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Definitions:

Product-variety Externality

The impact on consumers and producers resulting from an increase or decrease in the variety of products available in the market.

Consumer Surplus

The difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay.

Producer Surplus

The amount a seller is paid for a good minus the seller’s cost of providing it.

Economic Profits

The difference between total revenue and total costs, including both explicit and implicit costs, indicating the financial gain exceeding all costs.