Figure 5-16
Amit and Bree are the only two
homeowners on an isolated private road. Both agree that installing street lights along
the road would be beneficial and want to do so. Figure 5-16 shows their willingness to
pay for different quantities of street lights, the market demand for street lights and the
marginal cost of installing the street lights.
Suppose Amit and Bree know each other’s preferences so that it is not possible for one
to deceive the other. Which of the following statements best describes the
circumstances under which the optimal quantity of street lights could be achieved?
A) The optimal quantity will be installed only if the two parties agree to pay according
to their willingness to pay as indicated by their respective demand curves.
B) Because there are only two consumers, it is likely that private bargaining will result
in the optimal quantity being installed.
C) The optimal quantity will be installed only if the two parties split the cost of
installation equally.
D) The optimal quantity will be installed only if Bree pays for the entire installation
cost.