Two Students Are Walking by a Department Store Window That

question 225

Essay

Two students are walking by a department store window that has on display a $400 dress. The English major declares, "I want that dress but can't afford it." The economics major replies, "No, you don't." Explain the logic of this reply.

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Definitions:

Private Consumption

The total amount of goods and services consumed by individuals in a household.

Pareto Optimal

A situation where resources are distributed in such a way that improving one person's condition inevitably leads to the detriment of another individual.

Public Goods

Items or services that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning they can be used by anyone without diminishing their availability to others.

Private Consumption

The totality of goods and services consumed by private individuals, as opposed to those consumed by the government or businesses.