Question

Immediately after an ice storm brought down power lines throughout the region, hardware stores were sold out of batteries and flashlights. However, within a couple of days, special deliveries brought in extra batteries and flashlights, and everyone who wanted to buy a flashlight or batteries was able to do so. Which of the following principles of economic interaction best describes this scenario? a. When markets do not achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve overall welfare. b. All costs are opportunity costs. c. There are gains from trade. d. Markets allocate goods effectively.

Answer 1

Answer:

D) Markets allocate goods effectively.

Explanation:

The two main principles of capitalism are that individuals are rational and act according to their best self interest, and markets will allocate goods and service more efficiently than governments.

In this case, the stores ran out of batteries and flashlights due to a sudden increase in the demand, but since the stores make a profit by selling batteries and flashlights, they immediately replenished their stocks and were able to satisfy all the customers' needs.

If the stores would have needed government permission for replenishing their inventories, they would have never done it so fast and so efficiently.