Question

Comparing perfect first degree price discrimination to perfect competition one can conclude that: (i) Total social surplus is the same in either case (ii) Consumer surplus is higher under perfect
A. Only (1) is true
B. Only (ii) is true
C. Both (i) and (ii) are true
D. Neither (i) nor (i) is true

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Both (i) and (ii) are true

Explanation:

Under perfect price discrimination, consumer surplus doesn't exist since the supplier is selling the good or service at the maximum price that each consumer is willing to pay. This situation maximizes supplier surplus.

Under perfect competition, both supplier and consumer surplus exist.

Since total social surplus = supplier surplus + consumer surplus, total surplus should be the same in both situations.