taxes amp Subsidies 31 International trade Restrictions on free trade Trade protection 23 Macroeconomic Objectives Equity in the distribution of income 13 Government intervention Why ID: 577862
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Slide1
1.3 Government intervention (Indirect taxes & Subsidies)3.1 International trade (Restrictions on free trade: Trade protection)2.3 Macroeconomic Objectives (Equity in the distribution of income)Slide2
1.3 Government interventionWhy Governments Intervene In Markets:The government tries to combat market inequities through regulation, taxation, and subsidies.Governments may also intervene in markets to promote general economic fairness.
Maximizing social welfare is one of the most common and best understood reasons for government
intervention. Examples of this include breaking up monopolies and regulating negative externalities like pollution.Governments may sometimes intervene in markets to
promote
other goals, such as
national unity
and advancement.Slide3
1.3 Government intervention (Indirect taxes & Subsides)Indirect taxesAn indirect tax is a tax collected by an intermediary i.e. seller, from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax i.e. consumer. It is imposed on expenditure. In simple terms, it is a tax which is imposed on goods and services sold. It is usually added to the cost of the good or service and charged from the ultimate consumer. The seller will then file a return to the government on all the taxes he has collected from the consumer.
Examples are sales tax and excise dutySlide4
1. Explain why governments impose indirect (excise) taxes.The main reasons for government imposing taxes can be:To generate Government revenues: excise duties on beers, wines and spirits are price inelastic in demand, so tax price increases by levying specific alcohol and tobacco taxes raise consumer expenditures as a whole on these categories and therefore taxation revenues;
To discourage consumption: Government might use taxes to discourage consumption of certain demerit goods such as cigarettes.
To alter the pattern of consumption: Government might use direct taxes a mean to alter the consumption pattern
of its population. Certain goods can be made more price attractive through lower taxes while goods which have high marginal social cost can be made expensive through taxation.Slide5
2. Distinguish between specific and ad valorem taxes.Specific tax is a flat rate of tax whereas ad valorem tax is a percentage tax.Ad valorem literally the term means “according to value.” It is imposed on the basis of the monetary value of the taxed item.
A specific tax
is when specific amount is imposed upon a good, for example $10 on each mobile phone sold; whereas ad valorem tax is expressed as a percentage of the selling price e.g. 12% of the sales.The amount of
specific tax
changes in the same proportion as the quantity sold increase, whereas, in ad valorem the tax collected is more at higher prices then at lower prices.Slide6
3. Draw diagrams to show specific and ad valorem taxes, and analyses their impacts on market outcomes.Slide7
4. Discuss the consequences of imposing an indirect tax on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Imposition of tax results in three economic observations.Incidence: Incidence of tax means the party who actually pays the tax.
Government revenue: the amount of tax government will receive as revenue
Resource allocation: the amount of fall in quantity demanded and produced created by the tax.Slide8
S
1
A Tax on Sellers
A tax on sellers shifts the
S
curve up by the amount of the tax.
P
Q
D
1
$10.00
500
S
2
430
$11.00
P
B
=
$9.50
P
S
=
Tax
Effects of a $1.50 per unit tax on sellers
The price buyers pay rises, the price sellers receive falls,
eq’m
Q
falls.Slide9
S
1
D
1
$10.00
500
430
A Tax on Buyers
A tax on buyers shifts the
D
curve down by the amount of the tax.
P
Q
D
2
$11.00
P
B
=
$9.50
P
S
=
Tax
Effects of a $1.50 per unit tax on buyers
The price buyers pay rises, the price sellers receive falls,
eq’m
Q
falls.Slide10
430
S
1
The Incidence of a Tax:
how the burden of a tax is shared among
market participants
P
Q
D
1
$10.00
500
D
2
$11.00
P
B
=
$9.50
P
S
=
Tax
Because
of the tax,
buyers pay
$1.00 more,
sellers get
$0.50 less.Slide11
S
1
The Outcome Is the Same in Both Cases
!
What matters is this:
A tax drives
a wedge between the price buyers pay and the price sellers receive.
P
Q
D
1
$10.00
500
430
$9.50
$11.00
P
B
=
P
S
=
Tax
The effects on
P
and
Q
, and the tax incidence are the same whether the tax is imposed on buyers or sellers!Slide12
4. Discuss the consequences of imposing an indirect tax on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Incidence or tax burden
When a tax imposed on a good or service increases the price by the amount of the tax, the burden of the tax falls on consumers.
If instead it lowers wages or lowers prices for some of the other factors of production used in the production of the good or service taxed, the burden of the tax falls on owners of these factors.Slide13
4. Discuss the consequences of imposing an indirect tax on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.If the tax does not change the product’s price or factor prices, the burden falls on the owner of the firm—the owner of capital.
If prices adjust by a fraction of the tax, the burden is shared. The incidence of tax will be shared between the consumers and producers, depending on the
price elasticity of demand (PED) and the price elasticity of supply (PES) for
that product (which we will discuss later).
If we assume that the burden is equally shared by both the consumers and the producers then the size of
incident is equal.
This means the
incidence of tax
is equally distributed by both the consumer and producer.Slide14
4. Discuss the consequences of imposing an indirect tax on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Government revenuePutting taxes on goods and services generates revenue for the government.Figure shows the shaded region as tax revenue for government i.e.
CYXP1. The implication will be a fall in output from
Qe to Q1 and thus the consumption and production of the commodity will fall.Slide15
Total Revenue & Burden of TaxationSlide16
The Effects of a Tax
P
Q
D
S
Without a tax,
P
E
Q
E
Q
T
A
B
C
D
E
F
CS = A + B + C
PS = D + E + F
Tax revenue = 0
Total surplus
= CS + PS
= A + B + C
+ D + E + FSlide17
The Effects of a Tax
P
Q
D
S
P
S
P
B
Q
E
Q
T
A
B
C
D
E
F
CS = A
PS = F
Tax revenue
= B + D
Total surplus
= A + B
+ D + F
With the tax,
The tax causes total surplus to fall by C + ESlide18
The Effects of a Tax
P
Q
D
S
P
S
P
B
Q
E
Q
T
A
B
C
D
E
F
C + E
is called the
deadweight loss
(DWL)
of the tax, the fall in total surplus that
results from a market distortion, such as a tax.
DWL
is the loss of efficiency
.Slide19
About the Deadweight Loss
P
Q
D
S
P
S
P
B
Q
E
Q
T
Because of the tax, the units between
Q
T
and
Q
E
are not sold.
The value of these units to buyers is greater than the cost of producing them,
so the tax has prevented some mutually beneficial trades. Slide20
5. Explain, using diagrams, how the incidence of indirect taxes on consumers and firms differs, depending on the price elasticity of demand and on the price elasticity of supply.When PED is greater than PESWhere
PED
is greater than PES, it implies that consumers are more sensitive to price changes as compared to suppliers. Thus
the
incidence of tax
will be more on the suppliers because if too much
burden of tax
is passed on to the consumers then the demand will fall drastically.
Therefore
, this time the price paid by buyers barely rises; sellers bear most of the
burden of the tax.Slide21
5. Explain, using diagrams, how the incidence of indirect taxes on consumers and firms differs, depending on the price elasticity of demand and on the price elasticity of supply.
When PES is greater than PED
When the supply curve is relatively elastic, the bulk of the
tax burden
is borne by buyers.
This
is because
PED
as compared to
PES
is elastic, which means; consumers are not that price sensitive and will not reduce their consumption even if the prices rise.
Because
the
PES
is elastic, suppliers will stop the supply if the cost of production goes up.
Therefore, buyers end up getting higher burden of tax.Slide22
5. Explain, using diagrams, how the incidence of indirect taxes on consumers and firms differs, depending on the price elasticity of demand and on the price elasticity of supply.PED is equal to PESIn this case both the producer and consumer will share equal burden of tax.
Videos:Examining the effect of an excise tax on an inelastic good – Cigarettes
Examining the Effect of an Excise Tax on an Elastic Good – Candy barsSlide23
Elasticity and Tax IncidenceCASE 1: Demand is more inelastic than Supply
P
Q
D
S
Tax
Buyers’ share of tax burden
Sellers’ share of tax burden
Price if no tax
P
B
P
S
In this case, buyers bear most of the burden of the tax. Slide24
Elasticity and Tax IncidenceCASE 2: Supply is more inelastic than Demand
P
Q
D
S
Tax
Buyers’ share of tax burden
Sellers’ share of tax burden
Price if no tax
P
B
P
S
In this case, sellers bear most of the burden of the tax. Slide25
Elasticity and Tax IncidenceIf buyers’ price elasticity > sellers’ price elasticity, buyers can more easily leave the market when the tax is imposed, so buyers will bear a smaller share of the burden of the tax than sellers. If sellers’ price elasticity > buyers’ price elasticity, the reverse is true. The more Inelastic the more the burden of taxation is shifted to that party. When the curve is perfectly inelastic that party pays all the tax and when the curve is perfectly elastic the other party pays all the tax. Slide26
Elasticity and Tax IncidenceSlide27
When the curve is perfectly inelastic that party pays all the taxSlide28
When the curve is perfectly elastic the other party pays all the tax. Slide29
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 1
Use the linear functions given to draw the relevant demand and supply curves and to identify the equilibrium price and quantity.
E.g. If the demand and supply functions for a product are QD = 2000 – 200P and QS = -400 + 400P. Slide30
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 2 Change the supply function by taking the amount of the specific tax away from P, simplify the equation, and then draw the new supply curve. E.g. If the government imposes a specific tax of $0.75, then the supply function is changed, because the producers will have to pay the tax and so the price they receive falls by $0.75. Thus, the price in the equation is (P – 0.75) at each level.
If we put this in the equation, we get
QS = - 400 + 400(P - 0.75). Then, we can simplify the supply function and draw the new supply curve. QS = - 400 + 400(P - 0.75)
QS = - 400 + (400xP) – (400 x 0.75)
QS = - 400 + 400P – 300
QS = -700 +
400PSlide31
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Slide32
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 3 Identify the effects that are requested by the question in terms of price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus or producer surplus. E.g. In the diagram above, the new equilibrium price is $4.50 and the new quantity demanded is 1100 units.
Consumer expenditure goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800, to 1100 units at $4.50 = $4,950 – an increase of $150.
Producer revenue, after paying the tax of $0.75 per unit, goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800 to 1100 units at $3.75 = $4,125 – a fall of $675. Government revenue is 1100 units at a tax per unit of $0.75 = $825. Slide33
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).
Using Linear Equations to Calculate the Effect of an Indirect Tax (for HL students)Slide34
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 1 Calculate the original equilibrium price and quantity from the demand and supply functions.
E.g. If the demand and supply functions for a product are
QD = 2000 – 200P and QS = -400 + 400P.
Then equilibrium can be calculated by setting the equations against each other, so that:
QD = QS,
2000 – 200P = -400 + 400P
2400 = 600P
P = $4
Substitute
$4 as P in either equation to get the equilibrium quantity, which is 1,200 units. Slide35
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 2 Rearrange the supply function to take account of the specific tax that is set and then find the new equilibrium.
E.g. If the government imposes a specific tax
of $0.75, then the supply function is changed, because the producers will have to pay the tax and so the price they receive falls by $0.75. Thus, the price in the equation is (P - 0.75) at each level. If we put this in the equation, we get
QS
= - 400 + 400(P - 0.75).
Then, we can simplify the supply function.
QS = - 400 + 400(P - 0.75)
QS = - 400 + (400xP) – (400 x 0.75)
QS = - 400 + 400P – 300
QS = -700 + 400P Slide36
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Now, equilibrium is where the old demand equation meets the new supply equation: 2000 – 200P = -700 + 400P 2700 = 600P
P = $4.50 Substitute $4.50 as P in either equation to get the new equilibrium quantity, which is 1,100 units. Slide37
6. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the imposition of a specific tax on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 3 Calculate the further effects that are requested by the question in terms of consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus or producer surplus.
E.g. Consumer expenditure
goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800, to 1100 units at $4.50 = $4,950 – an increase of $150. Producer revenue, after paying the tax of $0.75 per unit, goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800 to 1100 units at $3.751 = $4,125 – a fall of $675.
Government revenue
is 1100 units at a tax per unit of $0.75 = $825. Slide38
7. Explain why governments provide subsidies, and describe examples of subsidies.A subsidy is a form of financial assistance paid by the government to a business or economic sector.Why subsidies are given?Subsidies might be given to:Lower the cost of necessary goods which might affects a major part of population. Example, subsidies given to essential food items and oil (in India).
Guarantee the supply of merit goods
, which the government thinks consumers should consume.Help domestic firms become more competitive in the international market, also known as protectionism.Slide39
8. Draw a diagram to show a subsidy, and analyze the impacts of a subsidy on market outcomes. Subsidy reduces the cost of production. Thus the supply curve for the product shifts vertically downwards by the amount of subsidy provided.Slide40
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. Impact of subsidies on Producers:Subsidies are monetary benefits provided to the producer by the Government on account of production of certain commodity. Subsidies
lead to increase in producer revenue. Due to subsidy the supply curve (S-subsidy) will shift vertically downwards by the amount of subsidy.
This reduces the cost of production and more is now being supplied at every price. Slide41
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. Through the diagram, we can see, initially the market was at equilibrium with
Qe being supplied & demanded at Price (Pe
).Government provides subsidy WZ per unit.Producers lower their prices to P1
Increase output till a new equilibrium is reached at
Q1
The producer will however not pass all the subsidy benefit to the consumer.
Initial producer revenue was
OPeXQe
which now increases to
ODWQ1.Slide42
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.
Impact of subsidies on Consumers
Consumers will now consume more of the product due to lower prices. Consumers pay less as the prices fall from Pe to P1, however, they end up consuming more from
Qe
to
Q1
.
It
is difficult to say by how much the consumer expenditure will increase or fall as it will depend on their relative saving and extra expenditure.Slide43
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. Impact of subsidies on GovernmentGovernment will end up paying a subsidy of P1DWZ. Obviously, this will involve an opportunity cost. Government will have to forego investments in other sectors of the economy in order to provide subsidy.
At
the end of the day, the burden usually lies on the taxpayer.Slide44
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. When PED is elastic relative to PESThe consumers do not benefit from a great fall but, because their demand is relative elastic, they increase their consumption by a significant amount.Slide45
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. When PED is inelastic relative to PESConsumption of the product is increased and so is the revenue of the producer.The consumer benefit from a relatively large price fall, but their demand is relative inelastic, their consumption does not increase by a great amount.Slide46
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.
The more inelastic the curve, the more the benefit from the subsidy is kept by that party. Slide47
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. Slide48
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government. Slide49
9. Discuss the consequences of providing a subsidy on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Because total surplus in a market is lower under a subsidy than in a free market, we can conclude that subsidies create economic inefficiency, known as deadweight loss. The deadweight loss in the diagram above is given by area H, which is the shaded triangle to the right of the free market quantity.
Economic inefficiency is created by a
subsidy because it costs a government more to enact a subsidy than the subsidy creates in additional benefits to consumers and producers.Slide50
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 1 Use the linear functions given to draw the relevant demand and supply curves and to identify the equilibrium price and quantity.
E.g. If the demand and supply functions for a product are QD = 2000 – 200P and QS
= -400 + 400P. Slide51
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 2 Change the supply function by adding the amount of the subsidy to P, simplify the equation, and then draw the new supply curve. E.g. If the government grants a subsidy of $0.75 per unit, then the supply function is changed, because the producers receive the subsidy and so the price they receive rises by $0.75. Thus, the price in the equation is (P + 0.75) at each level.
If we put this in the equation, we get
QS = - 400 + 400(P + 0.75). Then, we can simplify the supply function and draw the new supply curve.
QS
= - 400 + 400(P + 0.75)
QS
= - 400 + (400xP) + (400 x 0.75)
QS = - 400 + 400P + 300
QS = -
100
+ 400P Slide52
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Slide53
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 3 Identify the effects that are requested by the question in terms of price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus or producer surplus. E.g. In the diagram above, the new equilibrium price is $3.50 and the new quantity demanded is 1300 units.
Consumer expenditure
goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800, to 1300 units at $3.50 = $4,550 – a decrease of $250. Producer revenue, after receiving the subsidy of $0.75 per unit, goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800 to 1300 units at $4.25 = $5,525 – an increase of $725.
Government cost of the subsidy
is 1300 units at a subsidy per unit of $0.75 = $975. Slide54
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).The gains of consumer surplus and producer surplus can be identified from the diagram and then calculated. The original
consumer surplus was the triangle 4,10,Y. So it is the area of that, which is ½ x $6 x 1200 = $3,600.
The new consumer surplus is the triangle 3.50,10,Z. So it is the area of that, which is ½ x $6.50 x 1300 = $4,225.
The increase in
consumer surplus
is $4,225 - $3,600 = $625. Slide55
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).The original producer surplus was the triangle 4,1,Y. So it is the area of that, which is ½ x $3 x 1200 = $1,800. The
new producer surplus
is the triangle 4.25,1,X. So it is the area of that, which is ½ x $3.25 x 1300 = $2,112.5. The increase in producer surplus is $2,112.5 - $1,800 = $312.5.
[Out of interest, community surplus, which is consumer surplus + producer surplus, goes from $5,400 to $6,337.50. This is an increase of $937.50. The cost of the subsidy to the government is $975 (see above). So, it follows that the subsidy created a dead-weight loss of $975 - $937.50 = $37.50. This occurs because the extra hundred units produced because of the subsidy would not have been produced in a free market.
The
dead-weight loss
is indicated by the triangle XYZ, and so it can also be calculated by finding the area of that triangle, which is ½ x $.75 x 100 = $37.5.] Slide56
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 1 Calculate the original equilibrium price and quantity from the demand and supply functions. E.g. If the demand and supply functions for a product are QD
= 2000 – 200P and QS = -400 + 400P.
Then equilibrium can be calculated by setting the equations against each other, so that: QD = QS, 2000 – 200P = -400 + 400P
2400 = 600P
P = $4
Substitute $4 as P in either equation to get the equilibrium quantity, which is 1,200 units. Slide57
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 2 Rearrange the supply function to take account of the subsidy that is given and then find the new equilibrium. E.g. If the government grants a subsidy of $0.75 per unit, then the supply function is changed, because the producers will get the subsidy and so the price they receive rises by $0.75 per unit. Thus, the price in the equation is (P + 0.75) at each level.
If we put this in the equation, we get QS = - 400 + 400(P + 0.75).
Then, we can simplify the supply function. QS = - 400 + 400(P + 0.75) QS = - 400 + (400xP) + (400 x 0.75)
QS = - 400 + 400P + 300
QS = -100 + 400P Slide58
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Now, equilibrium is where the old demand equation meets the new supply equation: 2000 – 200P = -100 + 400P 2100 = 600P P = $3.50 Substitute $3.50 as P in either equation to get the new equilibrium quantity, which is 1,300 units. Slide59
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Step 3 Calculate the further effects that are requested by the question in terms of consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government revenue, consumer surplus or producer surplus. E.g. Consumer expenditure goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800, to 1300 units at $3.50 = $4,550 – a decrease of $250.
Producer revenue,
after receiving the subsidy of $0.75 per unit, goes from 1200 units at $4 = $4,800 to 1300 units at $4.252 = $5,525 – a rise of $725. Government cost of the subsidy is 1300 units at a subsidy per unit of $0.75 = $975. Slide60
10. Plot demand and supply curves for a product from linear functions and then illustrate and/or calculate the effects of the provision of a subsidy on the market (on price, quantity, consumer expenditure, producer revenue, government expenditure, consumer surplus and producer surplus).Videos:
Calculating the Effects of a Subsidy using Linear Equations (HL Only
)The Effects of a Subsidy on Market EquilibriumSlide61
3.1 International trade (Restrictions on free trade: Trade protection)Slide62
World price and comparative advantageWorld price: The price of a good that prevails in the world market for that good.The effects of free international trade can be shown by comparing the domestic price of a good without trade and the world price of the good.
If a country has a
comparative advantage, the domestic price will be below the world price, and the country will be an exporter
of the good.
If the country has a
comparative disadvantage
, the domestic price will be higher than the world price, and the country will be an
importer
of the good.Slide63
International Trade in an Exporting Country
World price of
good Z > domestic price of good Z.
Domestic producers increase production as the price moves up to the world
price.
Domestic
consumers decrease consumption as the price moves up to the world price
.
The excess supply (
surplus
) will be
exported
to willing buyers in another country
.
The analysis of an exporting country yields two conclusions
:
Domestic producers
of the good are better off, and
domestic consumers of the good are worse off
.Trade raises the economic well-being of the nation as a whole because the gains of producers exceed the losses of consumers.Slide64
Figure 3 How Free Trade Affects Welfare in an Exporting Country
Copyright © 2004 South-Western
D
C
B
A
Price
of Steel
0
Quantity
of Steel
Domestic
supply
Price
after
trade
World
price
Domestic
demand
Exports
Price
before
trade
Producer surplus
before trade
Consumer surplus
before tradeSlide65
A Country That Exports Soybeans
Without trade,
CS = A + B
PS = C
Total surplus
= A + B + C
With trade,
CS = A
PS = B + C + D
Total surplus
= A + B + C + D
P
Q
D
S
$6
$4
Soybeans
exports
A
B
D
C
gains from trade
0Slide66
International Trade in an Importing CountryWorld price of good T
< domestic price of good T.
Domestic producers decrease production as the price moves down to the world price.Domestic consumers increase consumption as the price moves down to the world price.
The excess demand (
shortage
) will be satisfied by
imports
from willing sellers in another country.
The analysis of an importing country yields two
conclusions
Domestic producers
of the good are worse off, and
domestic
consumers
of the good are better off
.
Trade raises the economic well-being of the nation as a whole because the gains of consumers exceed the losses of producers.Slide67
Figure 5 How Free Trade Affects Welfare in an Importing Country
Copyright © 2004 South-Western
C
B
D
A
Price
of Steel
0
Quantity
of Steel
Domestic
supply
Domestic
demand
Price
after trade
World
price
Imports
Price
before trade
Producer surplus
after trade
Consumer surplus
after tradeSlide68
A Country That Imports Plasma TVs
Without trade,
CS = A
PS = B + C
Total surplus
= A + B + C
With trade,
CS = A + B + D
PS = C
Total surplus
= A + B + C + D
P
Q
D
S
$1500
$3000
Plasma TVs
A
B
D
C
gains from trade
importsSlide69
World price and comparative advantageSlide70
total surplus
producer surplus
consumer surplus
direction of trade
rises
falls
rises
imports
P
D
>
P
W
rises
rises
falls
exports
P
D
<
P
W
Summary: The Welfare Effects of Trade
Whether a good is imported or exported,
trade creates winners and losers.
But the gains exceed the losses.
0Slide71
The Welfare Effects of TradeSlide72
11. Explain, using a tariff diagram, the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Tariffs, or customs duties, are taxes on imported products, usually in an ad valorem form, levied as a percentage increase on the price of the imported product
The
imposition of tariffs leads to the following:Higher pricesDomestic consumers face higher prices, which also means that there is a loss of consumer surplus. However, there is a gain in domestic producer surplus as producers are protected from cheap imports, and receive a higher price than they would have without the tariff. However, it is likely that there is an overall net welfare loss
.Slide73
11. Explain, using a tariff diagram, the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.The imposition of a tariff shifts up the world supply curve to World Supply + Tariff. The result is that domestic producers have been protected from cheaper imports from the rest of the World.Given that domestic consumers face higher prices, they also suffer a
loss of consumer surplus. In contrast, domestic producers
increase their producer surplus as they receive a higher price than they would have without the tariff. Increased market share also means that jobs will be protected in the domestic economy.Slide74
11. Explain, using a tariff diagram, the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Slide75
11. Explain, using a tariff diagram, the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Welfare lossHowever, the reduction in consumer surplus is greater than the increase in producer surplus. Even when adding the tariff revenue (area
K,
L,M,
N
) there is still a net loss. The
net welfare loss
is represented by the
triangles X and Y.
Slide76
11. Explain, using a tariff diagram, the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.DistortionThere is a potential distortion of the principle of comparative advantage, whereby a tariff alters the cost advantage that countries may have built up through specialization.
RetaliationThere is the likelihood of retaliation from exporting countries, which could trigger a costly
trade war.However, in the short run tariffs may protect jobs, infant and declining industries, and strategic goods. Tariffs may also
help conserve a non-renewable scarce resource.
Selective tariffs may also help reduce a trade deficit, and reduce consumption.Slide77
$30
Analysis of a Tariff
free trade
CS = A + B + C
+ D + E + F
PS = G
Total surplus = A + B
+ C + D + E + F + G
tariff
CS = A + B
PS = C + G
Revenue = E
Total surplus = A + B
+ C + E + G
P
Q
D
S
$20
25
Cotton shirts
40
A
B
D
E
G
F
C
70
80
deadweight loss = D + F
0Slide78
$30
Analysis of a Tariff
D =
deadweight loss
from the overproduction
of shirts
F =
deadweight loss
from the under-consumption
of shirts
P
Q
D
S
$20
25
Cotton shirts
40
A
B
D
E
G
F
C
70
80
deadweight loss = D + F
0Slide79
12. Calculate from diagrams the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Slide80
12. Calculate from diagrams the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Domestic producers previously sold 10 units at the world price of $8. After the tariff, they are paid $10 and sell 15. Domestic producers revenue before tariff:
P world X Q domestic = $8 X 10 = $80.Domestic producer revenue after tariff:
P tariff X Q new domestic = $10 X 15 = $150.Foreign producers receive the world price of $8, but their imports are reduced from 20 units to 10.
Foreign produce revenue before tariff:
P world X Q imports = $8 X (30 – 10) = $160
Foreign produce revenue
after tariff
:
P world X Q
new imports
=
$10
X
(25
–
15)
=
$100Slide81
12. Calculate from diagrams the effects of imposing a tariff on imported goods on different stakeholders, including domestic producers, foreign producers, consumers and the government.Consumer surplus is calculated as the area of the surplus triangle, ½ (base X height).Consumer surplus before tariff:½ ( highest price – P world ) X Q world = 0.5(20 – 8) X 30 = $180
Consumer surplus after tariff
:½ ( highest price – P tariff ) X Q world =
0.5(20
–
10)
X
25
=
$125
Government revenue
is calculated as the amount of the tariff multiplied by the number of imports.
Government revenue before tariff:
$ 0 = no tax collected
Government revenue after tariff:
(P tariff – P world) X Q new imports = ($10 - $8) X (25 – 15) = $20
Deadweight loss
of tariff = 2(0.5(30-25)X($10-$8)) = $10Slide82
2.3 Macroeconomic Objectives (Equity in the distribution of income) The role of taxation in promoting equitySlide83
13. Distinguish between direct and indirect taxes, providing examples of each, and explain that direct taxes may be used as a mechanism to redistribute income.An indirect tax is a tax collected by an intermediary i.e. seller, from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax i.e. consumer. It is imposed on expenditure
. In simple terms, it is a tax which is imposed on goods and services sold. It is usually added to the cost of the good or service and charged from the ultimate consumer. The seller will then file a return to the government on all the taxes he has collected from the consumer
. Examples
GST
(Goods and service tax)
VAT
(Value added tax)
Consumers are charged a
percentage of tax
while purchasing a good/service and then the seller pays the tax collected to the Government.Slide84
13. Distinguish between direct and indirect taxes, providing examples of each, and explain that direct taxes may be used as a mechanism to redistribute income.Direct Taxes
It is a tax paid directly to the government by the persons on whom it is imposed.
ExamplesTax imposed on peoples’ income-Income taxTax on wealth –
wealth Tax
Tax on firm’s profits.-
corporate taxSlide85
14. Distinguish between progressive, regressive and proportional taxation, providing examples of each.Progressive Tax A tax in which people with more income pay a larger percentage in taxes. Example: Income tax (Direct Tax)Regressive Tax A tax in which people with more income pay a smaller percentage in taxes.
Example: Sales Tax (Indirect Tax)
Proportional Tax A tax in which people pay the same percentage of income in taxes regardless of their incomes. Example: Flat Tax (Direct Tax)Slide86
200,000
100,000
$50,000
% of income
tax
% of income
tax
% of income
tax
income
30
60,000
25
25,000
20%
$10,000
progressive
25
50,000
25
25,000
25%
$12,500
proportional
20
40,000
25
25,000
30%
$15,000
regressive
Examples of the Three Tax Systems
0Slide87
15. Calculate the marginal rate of tax and the average rate of tax from a set of data. An average tax rate is the ratio of the total amount of taxes paid to the total tax base (taxable income or spending), expressed as a percentage.
Let T
be the total tax liability.Let B be the total tax
base.
Average tax rate =
T / B Slide88
15. Calculate the marginal rate of tax and the average rate of tax from a set of data.A marginal tax rate is sometimes defined as the tax rate that applies to the last (or next) unit of the tax base (taxable income or spending). In plain English, the
marginal tax rate is the tax percentage on the highest dollar earned. For example, in the United States, the top
marginal tax rate is 39.6%, but that rate applies only to earnings over $400,000 per year; earnings under $400,000 have a lower tax rate of 33% or less.
That formal definition only holds true to the equation following when the denominator equals one unit of the tax base. In practice most decisions require the denominator to be a larger amount. The
marginal tax rate
equals the change in taxes divided by the change in tax base, expressed as a percentage.
Let
T
be the total tax liability.
Let
B
be
the total tax base
.
Marginal
tax
rate =
T / BSlide89
16. Explain that governments undertake expenditures to provide directly, or to subsidize, a variety of socially desirable goods and services (including health care services, education, and infrastructure that includes sanitation and clean water supplies), thereby making them available to those on low incomes.Higher government spending on merit goods should yield a positive social rate of return
which leads to an improvement in total economic welfare.There is a case for some form of government intervention to encourage increased consumption of
merit goods. This might take the form of an explicit government subsidy to reduce the private marginal costs of consumption and cause an expansion of demand.
The government often provides merit goods "
free at the point of use
" and then finances them through general taxation.
Examples of merit goods that are largely state provided include primary health care
and public schooling. Slide90
17. Explain the term transfer payments, and provide examples, including old age pensions, unemployment benefits and child allowances.A transfer payment is a payment from the government to an individual for which no good or service is exchanged. In order to be eligible to receive them, an individual has to fall below a certain income threshold or to be experiencing economic hardship. Transfer payments existing in most developed countries include:Unemployment benefits
Social security benefitsNutritional subsidies
Higher education grants and tuition subsidiesWelfare benefitsSlide91
18. Evaluate government policies to promote equity (taxation, government expenditure and transfer payments) in terms of their potential positive or negative effects on efficiency in the allocation of resources.A tax system that punishes innovation, productivity and hard work is clearly undesirable and should therefore be avoided. However, a tax system including
progressive marginal income taxes combined with
regressive indirect taxes ensures that both the rich and the poor share a portion of the nation’s tax burden. Yet it also ensures that those with the greatest ability to pay bear the largest burden while those whose ability to pay the lowest benefit from the
public
and
transfer payments
that the government provides. This reduces the inequality of income distribution and corrects for the
market failures
that results in a
free market system
.Slide92
18. Evaluate government policies to promote equity (taxation, government expenditure and transfer payments) in terms of their potential positive or negative effects on efficiency in the allocation of resources.Progressive Tax A tax in which people with more income pay a larger percentage in taxes.Regressive Tax A tax in which people with more income pay a smaller percentage in taxes.
Proportional Tax
A tax in which people pay the same percentage of income in taxes regardless of their incomes.in-kind transfers transfers to the poor given in the form of goods and services rather than cashSlide93
18. Evaluate government policies to promote equity (taxation, government expenditure and transfer payments) in terms of their potential positive or negative effects on efficiency in the allocation of resources.Slide94
Section 1.3: Government intervention Price controlsSlide95
19. Explain why governments impose price ceilings, and describe examples of price ceilings, including food price controls and rent controls.
Price
ceiling:A legal maximum on the price at which a good or service can be sold.
A
price
ceiling
may be set to prevent price from rising beyond a pre-determined level.
A
price ceiling
will only have an effect on the market if it is set below the prevailing market clearing price.
A
price ceiling
is also called a
maximum price
, and may be used if it is felt that the resource or commodity should be more widely available, as in the case of food or medicines, or where there are specific historical, political or cultural reasons why allowing price to rise to its natural level. Slide96
19. Explain why governments impose price ceilings, and describe examples of price ceilings, including food price controls and rent controls.
The purpose of a
price ceiling
is to protect consumers of a certain good or service
.
By
establishing a
maximum price
, a government wants to ensure the good is affordable for as many consumers as possible.
Rent control
is an example of a price ceiling.Slide97
20. Draw a diagram to show a price ceiling, and analyze the impacts of a price ceiling on market outcomes.Slide98
20. Draw a diagram to show a price ceiling, and analyze the impacts of a price ceiling on market outcomes.A
price ceiling has an economic impact only if it is less than the free-market equilibrium price.
An effective price ceiling will lower the price of a good, which decreases the producer surplus.
The
effective price ceiling
will also decrease the price for consumers, but any benefit gained from that will be minimized by the decreased sales due to the drop in supply caused by the lower price.
If a ceiling is to be imposed for a long period of time, a
government may need to ration the good
to ensure availability for the greatest number of consumers.
Prolonged
shortages
caused by price ceilings can create
black markets
for that good.
Slide99
20. Draw a diagram to show a price ceiling, and analyze the impacts of a price ceiling on market outcomes.Slide100
EXAMPLE 1: The Market for ApartmentsEq’m w/o price controls
P
Q
D
S
Rental price of apts
$800
300
Quantity of apartmentsSlide101
How Price Ceilings Affect Market OutcomesA price ceiling above the equilibrium price is not binding – it has no effect on the market outcome.
P
Q
D
S
$800
300
Price
ceiling
$1000Slide102
How Price Ceilings Affect Market OutcomesThe equilibrium price ($800) is above the ceiling and therefore illegal.The ceiling is a binding constraint on the price, and causes
a shortage.
P
Q
D
S
$800
Price
ceiling
$500
250
400
shortageSlide103
How Price Ceilings Affect Market OutcomesIn the long run, supply and demand are more price-elastic. So, the shortage is larger.
P
Q
D
S
$800
150
Price
ceiling
$500
450
shortageSlide104
21. Examine the possible consequences of a price ceiling
, including shortages, inefficient resource allocation, welfare impacts, underground parallel markets and non-price rationing mechanisms.
With a
shortage
, sellers must ration the goods among buyers.
Some rationing mechanisms: (1) long lines
(2) discrimination according to sellers’ biases
These mechanisms are often unfair, and inefficient: the goods don’t necessarily go to the buyers who value them most highly.
In contrast, when prices are not controlled,
the rationing mechanism is efficient (the goods
go to the buyers that value them most highly)
and impersonal.Slide105
22. Discuss the consequences of imposing a price ceiling on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.
Who benefits and who loses from this policy?
Depends
. There are 200,000 fewer apartments supplied in the market at this lower price, so both consumers and producers lose out by not renting out apartments.
This
is the
dead-weight loss
triangle
(DWL)
in the
graph.
Those consumers who manage to find an apartment at this lower price gain because they now pay a price $200 lower than before, so their
consumer surplus
goes up
(CS).
Suppliers
are the clear losers. They rent out fewer apartments and the
producer surplus
in the economy goes down
(PS). Slide106
22. Discuss the consequences of imposing a price ceiling on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Slide107
What Can the Government do about the shortage created by the Binding Ceiling?Without Govt. interference, the market will be left with a shortage or excess demand. This could lead to illegal markets, long lines, bribery, etc…The Govt. could try to shift the demand curve to the left by providing subsidies for alternatives. The Govt. could try to shift the supply curve to the right by
(i) subsidies to the producers
to produce more,
(ii)
the Govt. could
provide the good or service themselves
,
(iii)
if the Govt. had
stored
some of the product they could
release
it to the market (buffer stocks). Slide108
23. Calculate possible effects from the price ceiling diagram, including the resulting shortage and the change in consumer expenditure (which is equal to the change in firm revenue).
Step 1
Use the linear functions given to draw the relevant demand and supply curves and to identify the equilibrium price and quantity.
E.g
. If the demand and supply functions for a product are QD = 2000 – 200P
and QS
= -400 + 400P. Slide109
23. Calculate possible effects from the price ceiling diagram, including the resulting shortage and the change in consumer expenditure (which is equal to the change in firm revenue).
Step 2
Draw the ceiling price onto the diagram, below the equilibrium price. Then
indicate the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied at the ceiling price.
Then
calculate the shortage (excess demand) that is created by imposing the ceiling price.
E.g. The government decided to impose a maximum price of $3.
The
quantity demanded is now 1,400 units and the quantity supplied is 800 units, so the excess demand (shortage) is 600 units. Slide110
23. Calculate possible effects from the price ceiling diagram, including the resulting shortage and the change in consumer expenditure (which is equal to the change in firm revenue).
Step 3
Calculate from the diagram total expenditure and changes in expenditure. E.g. The total expenditure on the product before the ceiling price was $4 x 1200 units = $4,800.
The total expenditure on the product after the ceiling price was $3 x 800 units
=
$2,400.
Expenditure has fallen by $2,400 or 50%.
[Remember that the expenditure of the consumers is the same as the revenue of the producers.] Slide111
23. Calculate possible effects from the price ceiling diagram, including the resulting shortage and the change in consumer expenditure (which is equal to the change in firm revenue).Step 4 Calculate any further effects that are requested by the question, in terms of the subsidy that might be necessary to eliminate the excess demand created by the minimum price and the total government expenditure on the subsidy. E.g. If there is an excess demand of 600 units, then the government, if they wish to rectify this, will need to shift the supply curve to the right by 600 units at every price.
This
would add 600 units to the supply function: Originally: QS = -400 + 400 P
Now, it would need to be:
QS1
= -400 + 600 + 400P = 200 + 400P. Slide112
23. Calculate possible effects from the price ceiling diagram, including the resulting shortage and the change in consumer expenditure (which is equal to the change in firm revenue).As we can see from the diagram, producers will now produce at the equilibrium, where 1,400 units are demanded and supplied at a price of $3. We can see from the original supply curve, without the subsidy, that in order to supply 1400 units, the producers need to receive $4.50. Thus
, the subsidy per unit is $1.50. The total subsidy payment by the government will be 1,400 x $1.50 = $2,100. Slide113
24. Explain why governments impose price floors, and describe examples of price floors, including price support for agricultural products and minimum wages.
Price
floor:A legal minimum on the price or service at which a good can be sold.
A
price
floor
, which is also referred to as a
minimum price
, sets the lowest level possible for a price.
Price
floors
, and minimum prices, only have an effect if they are set
above
the actual market clearing price.
There
are many instances of governments in the real world setting
price floors
, such as setting a
national minimum wage for labor to ensure that individuals are able to earn a ‘living wage’. In addition, given the instability of agricultural prices
and the need to ensure food security, farm prices may be set which guarantee a minimum price to farmers.Slide114
25. Draw a diagram of a price floor, and analyze the impacts of a price floor on market outcomes.Slide115
EXAMPLE 2: The Market for Unskilled LaborEq’m w/o price controls
W
L
D
S
Wage paid to unskilled workers
$4
500
Quantity of unskilled workersSlide116
How Price Floors Affect Market Outcomes
W
L
D
S
$4
500
Price
floor
$3
A price floor
below the
equilibrium price is
not binding
–
it has no effect on the market outcome. Slide117
How Price Floors Affect Market Outcomes
W
L
D
S
$4
Price
floor
$5
The equilibrium wage ($4) is below the floor and therefore
illegal.
The floor
is a
binding constraint
on the wage,
and causes
a surplus
(
i.e.,
unemployment).
400
550
labor surplusSlide118
Min wage laws
do not affect
highly skilled workers.
They do affect teen workers.
Studies:
A 10% increase
in the min wage raises teen unemployment
by 1-3%.
The Minimum Wage
W
L
D
S
$4
Min. wage
$5
400
550
unemp-loymentSlide119
26. Examine the possible consequences of a price floor
, including surpluses and government measures to dispose of the surpluses, inefficient resource allocation and welfare impacts.
A
price floor
is economically consequential if it is greater than the free-market equilibrium price.
Price floors
lead to a
surplus
of the product.
Supply
surpluses
created by price floors are generally added to producer's inventory or are purchased by governments.
Consumer surplus
is the gain obtained by consumers because they can obtain a product for a lower price than they would be willing to pay.
Producer surplus
is the benefit producers get by selling at a price higher than the lowest price they would sell for.Slide120
27. Discuss the consequences of imposing a price floor on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.
Who wins and who loses with this policy?
Clearly
consumers lose
because they now pay higher prices (CS in the graph on the right is smaller) and there are some consumer that are not going to buy, so there is dead-weight loss (DWL) on the consumer side.
On
the producer side,
there are some producers who will not trade, so there is also some dead-weight loss (DWL) on the producer side.
But
, for those producers who do sell their product at a higher price, they gain more producer surplus (PS).
Note
how producer surplus has increased for those who sell. Slide121
27. Discuss the consequences of imposing a price floor on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Slide122
27. Discuss the consequences of imposing a price floor on the stakeholders in a market, including consumers, producers and the government.Slide123
What Can the Government do about the surplus created by the Binding floor?Without Govt. interference, the market will be left with a surplus. This will lead to overall less demand and or sellers trying to get around the high prices by selling below the floor price which will be illegal. The Govt. could buy up the surplus from the producers. The surplus could then either be stored, destroyed or sold abroad all of which create their own set of problems.
The Govt. could
subsidies the purchase of the good or service to increase the demand for it.
They could also
advertise
to increase demand or they could use a
Quota.Slide124
28. Calculate possible effects from the price floor diagram, including the resulting
surplus, the
change in consumer expenditure, the change in producer revenue, and government expenditure to purchase the surplus.
Step 1
Use
the linear functions given to draw the relevant demand and supply curves and to identify the equilibrium price and quantity.
E.g
. If the demand and supply functions for a product
are
QD = 2000 – 200P and
QS
= -400 + 400P. Slide125
28. Calculate possible effects from the price floor diagram, including the resulting
surplus, the
change in consumer expenditure, the change in producer revenue, and government expenditure to purchase the surplus.
Step 2
Draw the floor price onto the diagram, above the equilibrium price.
Then
indicate the quantity demanded and the quantity supplied at the floor price.
Then
calculate the surplus (excess supply) that is created by imposing the floor price.
E.g. The government decided to impose a minimum price of $5
.
The
quantity demanded is now 1,000 units and the quantity supplied is 1,600 units, so the excess supply (surplus) is 600 units.
Slide126
28. Calculate possible effects from the price floor diagram, including the resulting
surplus, the
change in consumer expenditure, the change in producer revenue, and government expenditure to purchase the surplus.
Step 3
Calculate from the diagram the total amount that the government would have to pay to buy up the surplus.
This
would be the excess supply times the minimum price.
E.g. The government would need to buy 600 units at $5 per unit = $3,000.
Step 4
Calculate the total income of the producers. This will come from sales to the consumers and sales to the government.
E.g. The consumers will sell 1,600 units at a price of $5 = $8,000. They will receive $5,000 from the consumers (1000 units x $5) and $3,000 from the government (600 units x $5). Slide127
Buffer stock schemeThe prices of agricultural products such as wheat, cotton, cocoa, tea and coffee tend to fluctuate more than prices of manufactured products and services. This is largely due to the volatility in the market supply of agricultural products coupled with the fact that demand and supply are price inelastic. One way to smooth out the fluctuations in prices is to operate price support schemes through the use of buffer stocks. But many of them have had a chequered history.Buffer stock schemes seek to
stabilize the market price of agricultural products by buying up supplies of the product when harvests are plentiful and selling stocks of the product onto the market when supplies are low. Slide128
Buffer stock schemeA target price can be achieved through intervention buying and selling.The buffer stock managers are likely to establish a price ceiling, above which intervention selling will occur, and a price floor, below which intervention buying will take place.Slide129
Commodity agreement Commodity agreements are arrangements between producing and consuming countries to stabilize markets and raise average prices. Such agreements are common in many markets, including the market for coffee, tea, and sugar.The market for commodities is particularly susceptible to sudden changes in conditions of supply conditions, called supply shocks.
Shocks such as bad weather, disease, and natural disasters are largely unpredictable, and cause
commodity markets to become highly volatile. In
comparison, markets for the final products derived from these
commodities
are much more stable. Slide130
Commodity agreement Commodity agreements often involve intervention schemes, such as buffer stocks, and usually only last for a few years, whereupon they are re-negotiated. They differ from cartels such as OPEC, largely because discussions and negotiations involve both producer and consumer countries, unlike cartels, which are established to protect the interest of producers only.Example - The International Cocoa Agreement