What does the phrase “internalizing an external cost” mean?
A) limiting the extent to which domestic firms can outsource production
B) prohibiting economic activities that create externalities
C) forcing producers to factor into their production costs the cost of the externalities
created in the production of their output
D) finding a way to address cross-border pollution
Consider the following hypothetical scenarios:
Scenario A: You are about to purchase a pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans for $175 and a
t-shirt for $45. The sales attendant at the store tells you that the pair of jeans you wish
to buy is on sale for $160 at another store, located about a 20-minute drive away.
Scenario B: You are about to purchase a pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans for $175 and a
t-shirt for $45. The sales attendant at the store tells you that the t-shirt you wish to buy
is on sale for $30 at another store, located about a 20-minute drive away. Based on
standard economic theory, under which scenario would you make the 20-minute trip to
the other store?
A) Scenario A because the pair of jeans is a very expensive item and $15 saving is quite
substantial
B) Scenario B because a $15 saving amounts to a substantial discount (about 33
percent)
C) in either scenario if I think a $15 savings is worth the 20-minute trip
D) in none of these scenarios if I think the $15 saving is not worth the 20-minute trip
E) C and D are correct answers.