What are the benefits of using a pollution tax rather than a command-and-control system to internalize an externality?

What will be an ideal response?


A pollution tax will generate less pollution than a command-and-control policy, since the firm is free to choose either to pay the tax or to come up with a pollution control system that is less costly than the tax. Since firms differ in their production methods, command-and-control policies, which mandate the method of pollution control to the firm, might not be the most efficient method for that firm to use. A pollution tax will also lead to lower prices for the consumers, since the firm can most likely find a cheaper way to control pollution than the method mandated by the government. Finally, a pollution tax generates revenues for the government that might be used to assist with the pollution abatement.

Economics

You might also like to view...

Which of the following is true of a Nash equilibrium?

A) A game can have only one Nash equilibrium. B) No player can improve his payoff by changing his strategy once in Nash equilibrium. C) A Nash equilibrium cannot occur if each player is aware of the strategies of other players. D) A Nash equilibrium occurs if each player earns a zero payoff irrespective of the strategy he chooses.

Economics

Modern Keynesians believe the government should use a policy of laissez faire to address a recession. 

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

Economics

One advantage of a proprietorship is that

A) it is relatively easy to raise financial capital for a proprietorship. B) a proprietorship is relatively easy to form and to dissolve. C) there are limits to the possible liabilities of the owner. D) depreciation rates on capital are higher.

Economics

Even if a market is not competitive, the firms in the market may behave competitively if

A. The market is regulated. B. There are economies of scale. C. Potential competition exists. D. A natural monopoly exists.

Economics