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KALDOR-HICKS IMPROVEMENT: Based on the Kaldor-Hicks efficiency criterion, the notion that an action improves efficiency if the willingness to pay of those benefiting exceed the willingness to accept of those harmed. In other words, if those gains exceed those losses, or the benefits exceed the costs, then social welfare is improved and undertaking the action provides a net benefit to society. In other words, the winners can, in principle, compensate the losers for their loss, and still come out ahead. The actual compensation, however, is required. A contrasting condition for attaining efficiency is the Pareto improvement.
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                           WHAT?: The allocation question that determines the types and quantities of goods and services produced with society's limited resources. What goods and services are produced with society's limited resources? This is one of three basic questions of allocation. The other two are How? and For Whom? The What? question of allocation arises because society faces the fundamental problem of scarcity--wants and needs are unlimited, but resources are limited. Because society lacks sufficient resources to produce every good that every person desires, society must decide which specific goods to produce. Should society produce hammocks or hot fudge sundaes? Computers or Cadillacs? Birdfeed or battleships?The two primary methods used to answer the What? question are markets and government. Markets employ voluntary exchanges among buyers and sellers. Governments make use of laws, rules, and regulations that are involuntarily imposed on members of society. MarketsMarkets address the What? question by directing resources to the production of goods with higher prices. But prices are higher because the goods provide greater satisfaction and are more valued by society.Suppose, for example, that Chip Merthington, a newly enrolled college freshman at the Ambling Institute of Technology, is pondering the pursuit of a two equally appealing and spiritually fulfilling careers--public school teacher or certified public accountant. Chip is equally willing to spend the rest of his life in either occupation. However, because the accounting career is expected to generate twice the annual salary of the teaching alternative, Chip opts for accounting over teaching. How does this illustrate resource allocation and the What? question. The higher price paid for accountants induces Chip to allocate his labor resources to the production of accounting services. But why is the price higher? Presumably it is higher because society derives greater satisfaction and is thus willing to pay more. The end result is that more resources (Chip) are allocated to accounting and fewer are allocated to teaching. GovernmentGovernments address the What? question by dictating that some goods are produced and others are not. This can be accomplished either directly through legal mandates (laws, rules, and regulations) or indirectly through the collection and spending of tax revenues.Suppose, for example, that the Shady Valley city commission, duly elected by the citizens of Shady Valley, decides that people should consume larger quantities of frozen yogurt and smaller amounts of ice cream. One way to achieve this end is to pass a law that every hot fudge sundae sold in Shady Valley must be prepared with frozen yogurt. Anyone violating this edict is subject to punishment by jail time and a sizeable fine. How does this address the What? question? In all likelihood, hot fudge sundae vendors seek to avoid punishment by preparing frozen yogurt based treats, resulting in more frozen yogurt production and less ice cream production. Alternatively, the Shady Valley government can use a portion of tax revenues to purchase large amounts of frozen yogurt, which it then distributes without charge every Saturday morning to children, elderly, working mothers, and unemployed. How does this address the What? question? Prompted by regular government purchases, frozen yogurt producers undoubtedly increase their production. In addition, ice cream producers likely convert their facilities from ice cream to frozen yogurt. The result is more frozen yogurt production and less ice cream production.
Recommended Citation:WHAT?, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2025. [Accessed: July 8, 2025].
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ORANGE REBELOON
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time looking for a downtown retail store wanting to buy either a flower arrangement for that special day for your mother or a New York Yankees baseball cap. Be on the lookout for attractive cable television service repair people.
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This isn't me! What am I?
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The penny is the only coin minted by the U.S. government in which the "face" on the head looks to the right. All others face left.
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"Progress always involves risk. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first. " -- Frederick B. Wilcox
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FIFO
First In First Out
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