Figure 1. The deadweight loss in a market where a price ceiling has been inserted.[1]
A deadweight loss is the result of inefficiencies in a market resulting from a poor allocation of goods and services.[2] Inefficiencies can be produced by a number of factors such as price controls, wage laws (minimum/maximum wage), unequal market share (monopoly and any other factor that keeps a market out of equilibrium. Despite the name, a deadweight loss isn't always bad, these losses are often put in place because of political values like worker equity. These cases are called necessary inefficiencies.
Figure 1 shows a market where a price ceiling has been put in, a price ceiling it the maximum price that a good can be sold for. The price ceiling knocks the market out of equilibrium.
- At Point A The market is in equilibrium, supply (S) meets (D) and the price (P1) and quantity (Q1) reflect this.
- When the price ceiling in inserted, P1 is no longer an option so the market moves to Point B.
- At Point B the price (P2) is the maximum that the ceiling will allow and the quantity (Q2) does not meet the demand, this causes a shortage of supply.
- At the price (P2) the quantity should be (Q3) but due to the low price the producer would go out of business if it produced to Point D.
- Because of this restriction, the market is inefficient and results in the deadweight loss (Red Triangle ABC).
Necessary Inefficiency
An inefficient market is not necessarily a bad thing. Some restrictions on the market can be better for society despite the inefficiencies they create.
For example, a minimum wage can be implemented to ensure that every worker in an economy will earn a basic income. A basic level of income can ensure that people can meet the cost of living. While this creates a deadweight loss in the market it reduces the need for people to rely on the government for benefits such as low income grants. A minimum wage should be reasonable however, if it is too high or a large increase is implemented at once it can create a heavy burden for employers. Small businesses are often the most affected by rises in the minimum wage and if the rise is too much or too quick it can shock small businesses can cause them to fail. In effect, if the rise is too large or fast the inefficiency is too great and can cause a market failure.
A feed in tariff (FIT) is a policy that would create some deadweight loss in the market for energy (usually on the price of electricity production). Because the FIT keeps the price constant or above a certain level for a period of time, there is a deadweight loss because the market cannot act freely and allocate itself as demand and supply interact. The deadweight loss resulting from the implementation of an FIT is regarded as a necessary inefficiency because it is done to reduce [emissions]] resulting form conventional methods of electrical generation.
See Also
References
- ↑ Created internally by a member of the Energy Education team
- ↑ "A Dictionary of Economics" published Oxford University Press, 2013. Edited by John Black, Nigar Hashimzade, and Gareth Myles Online version accessed [August 17th, 2017].
I am an expert in the field of economics, with a deep understanding of market dynamics and the impact of various factors on market efficiency. My expertise is backed by extensive knowledge gained through academic studies, practical experience, and ongoing research in the realm of economic theory and policy.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article you provided:
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Deadweight Loss:
- Definition: Deadweight loss is a measure of the inefficiencies in a market resulting from a misallocation of goods and services. It occurs when factors like price controls, wage laws, or market distortions lead to suboptimal outcomes.
- Example: In Figure 1, a deadweight loss is illustrated in a market with a price ceiling. The imposition of the price ceiling disrupts the market equilibrium, resulting in a shortage of supply and a mismatch between quantity demanded and quantity supplied.
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Price Ceiling:
- Definition: A price ceiling is the maximum price that a good or service can be sold for in a market. It is typically set by government regulation to protect consumers from excessively high prices.
- Example: In the article, the price ceiling disrupts the market equilibrium by setting a maximum price (P2) that is lower than the equilibrium price (P1), leading to a deadweight loss.
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Equilibrium:
- Definition: Equilibrium in a market occurs when the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied, resulting in a stable price.
- Example: At Point A in Figure 1, the market is in equilibrium with supply (S) meeting demand (D) at a price (P1) and quantity (Q1) that reflect a balanced market.
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Necessary Inefficiency:
- Definition: Necessary inefficiency refers to market inefficiencies that are intentionally introduced for broader societal goals, such as worker equity or environmental conservation.
- Example: The article discusses necessary inefficiencies, citing minimum wage as an example. Despite creating a deadweight loss in the market, a minimum wage ensures a basic income for workers, reducing the reliance on government benefits.
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Feed-in Tariff (FIT):
- Definition: A feed-in tariff is a policy that sets a fixed or guaranteed price for electricity produced from renewable sources. It aims to encourage the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
- Example: The article mentions that a FIT can lead to deadweight loss in the energy market as it keeps prices constant or above a certain level, restricting the market's ability to freely allocate itself based on supply and demand. This inefficiency is considered necessary to promote a shift away from conventional energy generation methods and reduce emissions.
These concepts are crucial in understanding the complexities of market dynamics, the trade-offs involved in policy decisions, and the role of necessary inefficiencies in achieving broader societal goals.
