Effect of Government Subsidies

subsidy

Readers Question: What happens when the government subsidizes a product?  A subsidy means the government pays part of the cost. For example, the government may give farmers a subsidy of £10 for every kilo of potatoes. The effect is to shift the supply curve to the right, leading to lower price and higher quantity demanded Diagram …

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Micro-economics

Microeconomic topics Consumer and producer surplus Demand Substitute goods Complements Economies of scale Elasticity Price elasticity of demand Cross elasticity of demand Income elasticity of demand Price elasticity of supply Market equilibrium Production possibility frontiers Positive and normative statements Opportunity cost Specialisation and division of labour Market failure Positive externalities – the benefit to a …

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Oligopoly Diagram

kinked-demand-curve

There are different diagrams that you can use to explain 0ligopoly markets. It is important to bear in mind, there are different possible ways that firms in Oligopoly can behave. 1. Kinked Demand Curve Diagram In the kinked demand curve model, the firm maximises profits at Q1, P1 where MR=MC. Thus a change in MC, …

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Market Failure

types-market-failure

Definition of Market Failure – This occurs when there is an inefficient allocation of resources in a free market. Market failure can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as monopoly (higher prices and less output), negative externalities (over-consumed and costs to third party) and public goods (usually not provided in a free market) …

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UK Merger Policy

pros-cons-mergers

Any potential merger must give details to the OFT. If the OFT is concerned they can refer the merger to the Competition and Markets Authority, which can examine whether the merger is in the public interest. CMA has the power to investigate a merger if Turnover of the new firm exceeds £70 million or The …

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Increasing labour market flexibility

increase-labour-market-flexibility

Labour market flexibility means that it is easy for workers to change jobs and choose different types of work. It also implies that firms find it relatively easy to hire and fire workers can use temporary contracts, rather than get locked into rigid labour contracts. Labour market flexibility is seen as a way to reduce …

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Decreasing returns to scale

Diminishing returns

Definition: Decreasing Returns to Scale This occurs when an increase in all inputs (labour/capital) leads to a less than proportional increase in output. For example, if a car firm increases its variable inputs (capital, raw materials and labour) by 50%, but the output of cars, increases by only 35%, then we say there are decreasing …

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Bertrand Competition

Definition of Bertrand Competition A market structure where it is assumed that there are two firms, who both assume the other firm will keep prices unchanged. Therefore, each firm has an incentive to cut prices, but this actually leads to a price war. If products are perfect substitutes this assumes the price will be driven …

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