Tag: Market Failure
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Negative Externalities
Economic activities can impose unaccounted-for costs on society, known as negative externalities. These inefficiencies often lead to government interventions and have widespread implications, affecting issues as significant as climate change and public health.
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Adverse Selection
Adverse selection happens when one party in a deal knows more than the other, leading to unfair outcomes. This can be a big issue in areas like insurance, loans, and used car sales. While there are strategies to manage it, unchecked adverse selection can cause market problems and privacy concerns.
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Information Asymmetry
Information asymmetry is when one group knows more than another during a deal or interaction, which can tilt the balance of power. This can lead to unfair transactions, market issues, and power imbalances in areas such as finance, health, politics, and education, impacting decision-making and overall fairness.
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Rent-Seeking
Rent-seeking is when someone tries to get a larger slice of the wealth pie, instead of making the pie bigger. It can lead to unfair advantages and slow economic growth. It’s hard to distinguish from normal business, impacts innovation, and can create income inequality, especially in countries with weak governance.
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Moral Hazard
Moral hazard refers to situations where a party takes on riskier behavior because they’re shielded from the consequences. It often occurs in insurance, finance, and healthcare, potentially leading to market inefficiencies and higher costs. Strategies exist to mitigate it.