Moderate

When firms enter a monopolistically competitive market and the business-stealing externality is larger than the product-variety externality then ?

Correct answer: A. there are too many firms in the market and market efficiency could be increased if firms exited the market

  • A. there are too many firms in the market and market efficiency could be increased if firms exited the market
  • B. the number of firms in the market is optimal and the market is efficient
  • C. There are too few firms in the market and market efficiency could be be increased with additional entry
  • D. The only way to improve efficiency in this market is for the government to regulate it like a natural monopoly.

Explanation

The business-stealing externality makes entry impose a cost on existing firms, while product variety benefits consumers. If the former is larger, entry has gone beyond the efficient level and some firms should exit.

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