Asked by Keijenea labostrie on Jul 11, 2024

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If there are consumption externalities, then a competitive equilibrium is not necessarily Pareto optimal.

Consumption Externalities

The impact of one's consumption activities on the welfare of others that is not reflected in market prices, either positive or negative.

Competitive Equilibrium

A market state where supply equals demand, ensuring that every buyer and seller is satisfied at the current price.

  • Gain insight into the consequences of the First and Second Welfare Theorems in relation to welfare economics.
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DK
Destiny KerstJul 14, 2024
Final Answer :
True
Explanation :
Consumption externalities occur when an individual's consumption affects the welfare of others, either positively or negatively. In such cases, the market may not take into account the full social cost or social benefit of consumption, and therefore a competitive equilibrium may not lead to a Pareto optimal outcome. This is because some individuals may consume more or less than the socially optimal level, leading to a suboptimal allocation of resources.