Asked by Tonii White on Jun 10, 2024

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Deadweight loss refers to:

A) losses in consumer surplus associated with excess government regulations.
B) situations where market prices fail to capture all of the costs and benefits of a policy.
C) net losses in total surplus.
D) losses due to the policies of labor unions.

Deadweight Loss

A loss of economic efficiency that can occur when the equilibrium for a good or service is not achieved or is not achievable.

Total Surplus

The sum of consumer and producer surplus, representing the total net benefit to society from the production and consumption of a good or service.

  • Gain insight into the principles of deadweight loss and its origin.
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Verified Answer

SH
Shreen HusseinJun 10, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Deadweight loss refers to the net losses in total surplus that occur when the quantity of a good exchanged is below or above the socially efficient level. This can happen due to a variety of factors, such as taxes, subsidies, price ceilings/floors, and other market distortions. Option A is incorrect because it only refers to losses in consumer surplus and does not capture the full picture. Option B is incorrect because it only refers to situations where market prices fail to capture all the costs and benefits, but it does not necessarily result in deadweight loss. Option D is incorrect because labor unions do not necessarily cause deadweight loss on their own but can affect market outcomes in other ways.