Chapter 8: Problem 37

Assuming that the market for cigarettes is in perfect competition, what does allocative and productive efficiency imply in this case? What does it not imply?

Short Answer

Expert verified

In the case of a perfectly competitive market for cigarettes, allocative efficiency implies that the number of cigarettes produced exactly meets consumer demand at the prevailing market price, with the marginal benefit to consumers equal to the marginal cost of production. Productive efficiency implies that each cigarette producer is operating at the lowest possible cost per unit, experiencing economies of scale and making the best use of resources and technology. However, these efficiencies do not imply social desirability, equity in income and wealth distribution, or account for externalities such as health issues and environmental pollution.

Step by step solution

Allocative Efficiency Defined

Allocative efficiency occurs when the mix of goods and services produced by an economy are such that they perfectly match the preferences of consumers. In the context of the market for cigarettes, allocative efficiency means that the number of cigarettes produced should exactly meet the demand of consumers at the prevailing market price. In other words, there should be an optimal allocation of resources for cigarette production, leading to a situation where surplus and shortage do not exist, and the marginal benefit to consumers is equal to the marginal cost of production.

Productive Efficiency Defined

Productive efficiency occurs when a firm produces at the lowest possible cost per unit of output. In a perfectly competitive market for cigarettes, this means that each firm producing cigarettes is producing at the lowest possible cost point on its average cost curve, which is associated with economies of scale. As a result, in a perfectly competitive market, firms cannot produce at a lower cost with their current technology and resources.

Allocative Efficiency in a Perfectly Competitive Market for Cigarettes

In a perfectly competitive market for cigarettes, allocative efficiency implies that the resources are allocated such that the number of cigarettes produced corresponds exactly to the demand from consumers. Since the market is perfectly competitive, there are numerous cigarette producers. Each producer is a price-taker that makes decisions based on the market price. The optimal resource allocation occurs when the price of cigarettes (derived from consumers' preferences) equals the marginal cost of production, leading to a situation where no surpluses or shortages exist.

Productive Efficiency in a Perfectly Competitive Market for Cigarettes

Productive efficiency in the market for cigarettes implies that each cigarette producer is producing at the lowest possible cost per unit of output. In this scenario, each firm is operating at a point where it experiences economies of scale, minimizing average costs by making the best use of available resources and technology, and eliminating waste. There will be no incentive for firms to try to reduce costs further as they are already operating at the lowest possible cost.

What Allocative and Productive Efficiency Does Not Imply

Although allocative and productive efficiency in the perfectly competitive market for cigarettes implies the optimal allocation of resources and the minimum possible production cost, it does not assure any social desirability or equity regarding incomes and wealth. The externalities generated from cigarette consumption, such as potential health issues and environmental pollution, could still result in social costs that go beyond consumer preferences and market prices. Furthermore, the income and wealth distribution might be significantly unequal, leading to questions about the fairness of the market outcome despite reaching efficiency in production and allocation.