Question

In the argument for why perfect competition is allocatively efficient, the price that people are willing to pay represents the gains to society and the marginal cost to the firm represents the costs to society. Canyou think of some social costs or issues that are not included in the marginal cost to the firm? Or some social gains that are not included in what people pay for a good?

Answer 1

Answer:

There are some indirect social costs that are included in marginal cost of firms, such as climate change due to green house gas emission, pollution, systemic risk (risk that banking system takes). These costs impose negative effect on economy and are not directly borne by consumer or producer.

There are some indirect social gains that are not included in price paid for good, such as driving an electric vehicle, improved education, fire proof homes, construction and operations of public goods like parks, street lights. These benefits impose positive effect on economy and are not directly borne by consumer or producer.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

There are some indirect social costs that are included in marginal cost of firms. such as climate change due to green house gas emission, pollution, systemic risk (risk that banking system takes). These costs impose negative effect on economy and are not directly borne by consumer or producer.  

There are some indirect social gains that are not included in price paid for good, such as driving an electric vehicle, improved education, fire proof homes, construction and operations of public goods like parks, street lights. These benefits impose positive effect on economy and are n directly borne by consumer or producer.