Question

As a policy option for regulating natural monopoly, average (total) cost pricing is attractive because Select one: a. the resulting output exceeds that which would occur in a perfectly competitive industry. b. the losses that occur are a sign that consumers are not harmed by the firm's exercise of market power. c. it ensures productive efficiency. d. the regulated firm will always break even.

Answer 1

Answer: c. it ensures productive efficiency.

Explanation:

The average cost pricing is used by the government in order to control the price that may be charged by the monopolist.

With the average cost pricing, monopolists are forced to reduce the price that twhy charge for a product to a point whereby the average total cost of the firm and the market demand curve will intersect.

This is vital as it brings about productive efficiency, increase production and also the reduction in the price of a good.

Therefore, the correct option is C "it ensures productive efficiency".