Price Ceilings and Floors
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Explanation
When the government issues a maximum or minimum price of a good, this implements a price ceiling (Pc) or price floor (Pf), respectively. Implementing these policies will deviate from the equilibrium price (Pe) and equilibrium quantity (Qe).
In this space, an explanation of the desired shift will appear.
There is no dead weight loss because there is an efficient outcome.
Select a price ceiling or floor first.
A price ceiling (Pc) caps the price set by the market to a maximum value that is less than the current equilibrium price (Pe). This creates a shortage of the good because the quantity demanded (Qd) is greater than the quantity the producer is able to supply (Qs).
Tighter regulation of a price ceiling (Pc) would shift the price ceiling downwards, farther away from the equilibrium price (Pe). As the difference between quantity demanded (Qd) and quantity supplied (Qs) increases, both the shortage and the deadweight loss in the market increase. Consumer surplus will also increase while producer surplus decreases.
Looser regulation of a price ceiling would shift the price ceiling (Pc) upwards, closer to the equilibrium price (Pe). As the difference between quantity demanded (Qd) and quantity supplied (Qs) decreases, both the shortage and the deadweight loss in the market decrease. Consumer surplus will also decrease while producer surplus increases.
A price floor (Pf) caps the price set by the market to a minimum value that is greater than the current equilibrium price (Pe). This creates a surplus of the good because the quantity supplied (Qs) is greater than the quantity that consumers are willing to purchase (Qd)
Tighter regulation of a price floor (Pf) would shift the price floor upwards, farther away from the equilibrium price (Pe). As the difference between quantity supplied (Qs) and quantity demanded (Qd) increases, both the surplus and the deadweight loss in the market increase. The producer surplus will also increase while the consumer surplus decreases.
Looser regulation of a price floor (Pf) would shift the price floor downwards, closer to the equilibrium price (Pe). As the difference between quantity demanded (Qd) and quantity supplied (Qs) decreases, both the surplus and the deadweight loss in the market decrease. Producer surplus will also decrease while consumer surplus increases.