Explain why Adam Smith believed that competitive markets are a key component of achieving the gains from the invisible hand
Adam Smith believed that individuals acting in their own self-interest would end up acting in society's best interest. This process is borne out by competition, in which firms pursuing maximum profit end up producing a good at the lowest possible AC and selling it at a price equal to the minimum LRAC.
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Starting from long-run equilibrium, a large tax cut will result in a(n) ________ gap in the short-run and ________ inflation and ________ output in the long-run.
A. expansionary; higher; higher B. expansionary; higher; potential C. recessionary; higher; potential D. recessionary; lower; lower
In which of the following cases is the slope of a line positive and less than infinity?
A) As the variable measured on the x-axis decreases, the variable measured on the y-axis decreases. B) As the variable measured on the x-axis increases, the variable measured on the y-axis decreases. C) As the variable measured on the y-axis increases, the variable measured on the x-axis does not change. D) As the variable measured on the y-axis increases, the variable measured on the x-axis decreases.
Assume a bottled water company is trying to decide on a new pricing strategy
Sound decision making would require the firm's managers to consider not only how consumers will respond to the product's own price, but how they will react to the price for the firm's product relative to the prices of similar products offered by the firm's competitors. Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Constantine purchased 100 shares of IBM stock several years ago for $150 per share. The price of these shares has fallen to $55 per share. Constantine's investment strategy is "buy low, sell high"
Therefore, he will not sell his IBM stock until the price rises above $150 per share. If he sells at a price lower than $150 per share he will have "bought high and sold low." Constantine's decision: A) is correct and shows a solid command of the nature of opportunity cost. B) is incorrect because the original price paid for the shares is a sunk cost and should have no bearing on whether the shares should be held or sold. C) is incorrect because when the price of a stock falls, the law of demand states that he should buy more shares. D) is incorrect because it treats the price of the shares as an explicit cost.