Question

If the government becomes more heavily involved in subsidizing some businesses and sectors of the economy while levying higher taxes on others, how will this influence the quantity of rent seeking? how will this affect long term growth? explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

If the government becomes more heavily involved in subsidizing some businesses and sectors of the economy while levying higher taxes on others, the quantity of rent seeking will increase and long term growth will be impeded.

Explanation:

The term rent in rent seeking is based on an economic rent which was defined by economist Adam Smith to mean payments made in excess of resource costs.  

An example of rent seeking is when a company lobbies the government for grants, subsidies, or tariff protection.

If the government becomes more heavily involved in subsidizing some businesses and sectors of the economy while levying higher taxes on others, the businesses that will benefit will enjoy monopoly and the other businesses will run at a loss and could become bankrupt.

The long term effect of having a business environment that is not competitive is poor growth.