An economy produces only two goods: paper and scissors. Dyes from paper production pollute a nearby river. Use a production possibilities curve (PPC) to illustrate your explanation of how the unfettered market would fail to provide the efficient mix of paper and scissors.

What will be an ideal response?


Label one point on the PPC the efficient point when all resources are considered, including the river (Point E in Figure 15-3). The market will not include river resources in the cost of producing paper, so more than the socially efficient amount of paper will be produced. By default, scissors production will fall short of the socially efficient level (Point I).

Figure 15-3

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Economics

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Economics