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If large numbers of individuals choose to behave as free riders,


A) more of the public good will be available for paying riders.
B) the public good may never be provided.
C) public goods will quickly be privatized.
D) public domain technologies become more difficult to obtain.

E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

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The term "basic research" applies specifically to research pertaining to fundamental scientific breakthroughs that may offer commercial applications in the _______.


A) distant future
B) near future
C) immediate future
D) short run

E) B) and C)
F) All of the above

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Which of the following is the most appropriate response of public policy to a negative externality like pollution?


A) modernize, update, and restore homes in run down neighborhoods to decrease littering
B) find ways to account for the social costs of the negative externality in economic decisions
C) encourage high standards of public education to increase innovation capability of youth
D) assist the private party creating the negative externality to receive more social benefits

E) B) and C)
F) A) and D)

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If I'MSmartCo's research and development project succeeds, then


A) market competition will ultimately discourage commercialization of the new technology.
B) competitors may find a way to adapt and copy the underlying idea without incurring R&D costs.
C) their success will be temporary because they will inevitably fall behind other innovative competitors.
D) they will need to find a less expensive way to add even more desirable characteristics.

E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

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Identify all of the characteristics of a public good.

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A public good has tw...

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The SaferGlass Co. makes windshields for the automotive industry. It wants to develop a new product with shatterproof glass to increase safety. The development of the new glass requires them to change their production process significantly. The company has developed a list of possible ways of implementing the production process changes, along with estimates of how each would affect the production and sales costs. Based on these estimates, the table below shows the value of R&D projects that provide at least a certain social rate of return. Every investment in R&D would have an additional 3% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 4% return to the glass company will pay at least 7% return for society as a whole. The SaferGlass Co. makes windshields for the automotive industry. It wants to develop a new product with shatterproof glass to increase safety. The development of the new glass requires them to change their production process significantly. The company has developed a list of possible ways of implementing the production process changes, along with estimates of how each would affect the production and sales costs. Based on these estimates, the table below shows the value of R&D projects that provide at least a certain social rate of return. Every investment in R&D would have an additional 3% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 4% return to the glass company will pay at least 7% return for society as a whole.   If the opportunity cost of financial capital for SaferGlass Co. is 9%, the company will invest _______ In R&D if it receives only the private benefits of this investment. A)  $400 B)  $450 C)  $500 D)  $550 If the opportunity cost of financial capital for SaferGlass Co. is 9%, the company will invest _______ In R&D if it receives only the private benefits of this investment.


A) $400
B) $450
C) $500
D) $550

E) All of the above
F) A) and D)

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Many residents of a particular town enjoy taking their dogs with them when they go to their local park for recreation and picnics. Everybody enjoys the park more when each group cleans up after themselves and their pets, but nobody enjoys the act of cleaning up after themselves or their dogs. We can expect the park to be _______, due to a _______.


A) dirty, prisoner's dilemma
B) clean, prisoner's dilemma
C) dirty, positive externality
D) clean, positive externality

E) C) and D)
F) B) and C)

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Briefly describe how the free rider problem can be overcome.

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The free rider problem can be ...

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YummyCandiesCo. has developed a new candy bar that contains a full recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. This invention will provide considerable spillover benefits to society. The table below shows the demand for the candy bars, the supply of candy bars if the company receives only the private benefits, and the supply of candy bars if the firm also receives the full social benefits. YummyCandiesCo. has developed a new candy bar that contains a full recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. This invention will provide considerable spillover benefits to society. The table below shows the demand for the candy bars, the supply of candy bars if the company receives only the private benefits, and the supply of candy bars if the firm also receives the full social benefits.   If the firm's candy bars were sold on the basis of both private and social benefits, the equilibrium price and quantity would be A)  $4, 100,000 B)  $3, 150,000 C)  $2, 200,000 D)  $1, 250,000 If the firm's candy bars were sold on the basis of both private and social benefits, the equilibrium price and quantity would be


A) $4, 100,000
B) $3, 150,000
C) $2, 200,000
D) $1, 250,000

E) None of the above
F) C) and D)

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Which of the following would some economists be likely to perceive as the most appropriate public policy response to a positive externality created by the development of a highly innovative new technology?


A) not taking into account the negative externality associated with social benefit
B) not taking into account the positive externality associated with social benefit
C) have reasonable rates of return not based on a notion of unearned social benefits
D) develop ways to provide a greater share of the social benefits to the innovator

E) C) and D)
F) All of the above

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How does the cost of financial capital influence innovative research and development activities in a competitive market?


A) at a high cost, firms demand a large quantity, as R&D projects return high rates.
B) at a low cost, firms demand a large quantity, as R&D projects will likely return a higher rate.
C) financial capital at a high cost means more projects are likely to pay a much higher return rate.
D) at a low cost, the firm receives only small private benefits from investing in R&D.

E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

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If a firm's efforts to be technologically innovative will create a positive externality, then that firm will likely


A) have more incentive to innovate to the extent that the whole of society desires.
B) invest significantly more in its research and development activities.
C) have less incentive to innovate to the extent that the whole of society desires.
D) demand more financial capital investment to expand its R&D activities.

E) None of the above
F) B) and D)

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Which of the following would most likely be recognized as a defining characteristic of a public good?


A) the good is nonrivalrous item
B) the good is nonexcludable item
C) the good is both a and b above
D) the good is a separate and identifiable item

E) B) and C)
F) A) and C)

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The SaferGlass Co. makes windshields for the automotive industry. It wants to develop a new product with shatterproof glass to increase safety. The development of the new glass requires them to change their production process significantly. The company has developed a list of possible ways of implementing the production process changes, along with estimates of how each would affect the production and sales costs. Based on these estimates, the table below shows the value of R&D projects that provide at least a certain social rate of return. Every Investment in R&D would have an additional 3% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 4% return to the glass company will pay at least 7% return for society as a whole. The SaferGlass Co. makes windshields for the automotive industry. It wants to develop a new product with shatterproof glass to increase safety. The development of the new glass requires them to change their production process significantly. The company has developed a list of possible ways of implementing the production process changes, along with estimates of how each would affect the production and sales costs. Based on these estimates, the table below shows the value of R&D projects that provide at least a certain social rate of return. Every Investment in R&D would have an additional 3% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 4% return to the glass company will pay at least 7% return for society as a whole.   If the opportunity cost of financial capital for SaferGlass Co. is 9%, the company will invest _______ In R&D if it receives both the private and social benefits of this investment. A)  $400 B)  $450 C)  $500 D)  $550 If the opportunity cost of financial capital for SaferGlass Co. is 9%, the company will invest _______ In R&D if it receives both the private and social benefits of this investment.


A) $400
B) $450
C) $500
D) $550

E) A) and C)
F) B) and C)

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There is a skating rink in your city that is open to anybody to use at any time. They even provide skates for people who don't own any. This is an example of a good that is


A) rivalrous and nonexcludable
B) nonrivalrous and excludable
C) rivalrous and excludable
D) nonrivalrous and nonexcludable

E) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

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If the government determines that the private sector does not have sufficient incentive to carry out research and development, which of the following is likely to be a reasonable response?


A) government can use public funds to pay for the R&D activities directly.
B) setting up government-run laboratories to ensure public benefits arise from public funding.
C) direct all public R&D funding to colleges and universities to ensure public benefits arise from public funding.
D) ensure that firms are not entering cooperative ventures to lessen competition, as well as b and c above.

E) All of the above
F) C) and D)

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A drug company is deciding how much to invest in Research and Development into finding a cure stomach cancer. The table below shows the company's demand for financial capital for R&D of this drug, based on its expected rates of return from selling the drug. Every investment has an additional 4% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 5% return to the drug company will create at least a 9% return for society as a whole. A drug company is deciding how much to invest in Research and Development into finding a cure stomach cancer. The table below shows the company's demand for financial capital for R&D of this drug, based on its expected rates of return from selling the drug. Every investment has an additional 4% social return: that is, an investment that pays at least a 5% return to the drug company will create at least a 9% return for society as a whole.   If the opportunity cost of financial capital for the drug company falls from 7% to 5%, the drug company will invest _______ more in R&D if it receives only the private benefits of this investment. A)  $14 B)  $16 C)  $24 D)  $30 If the opportunity cost of financial capital for the drug company falls from 7% to 5%, the drug company will invest _______ more in R&D if it receives only the private benefits of this investment.


A) $14
B) $16
C) $24
D) $30

E) A) and C)
F) B) and D)

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Briefly explain whether a patent should be used to provide an incentive for investors? If your answer is positive, explain whether there should be any limits or conditions relating to same.

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Patents should provide an ince...

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One reason some economists doubt that patent protection encourages innovation is that economic studies show that inventors receive only _______ of the total economic value of their inventions in countries that _______.


A) one-half to two-thirds; previously had few patents
B) one-third to one-half; already had patents
C) one-third to one-half; previously had no patents
D) one-half to two-thirds; had existing patents

E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

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One difficulty with direct government support of R&D is that it inevitably involves government decisions about _______.


A) whether it can agree on the amount of social benefit conferred to private firms
B) which of the vast number of proposed projects are worthwhile
C) the location of the congressional district receiving the research funding.
D) quantifying the social benefit conferred on a private firm by an R&D tax reduction.

E) A) and C)
F) B) and C)

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