Question: Consider a labor surplus economy producing a single output, which can be consumed (as food) or invested (as capital). Labor, once employed, must be paid

Consider a labor surplus economy producing a single output, which can be consumed (as food) or invested (as capital). Labor, once employed, must be paid a fixed wage of w which is fully consumed. All surpluses from production are reinvested.

(a) Draw a diagram showing how output is distributed between consumption and reinvestment, for some chosen level of employment. Show the profit-maximizing employment level: call it L*.

(b) Reinvested surplus raises consumption tomorrow. Suppose that a social planner cares about consumption today and consumption tomorrow. Show that she will always wish to choose an employment level not less than L*.

(c) Suppose that the planner wishes to employ units of labor, whereL > L*. Carefully describe a subsidy scheme to profit maximizing employers that will make them choose this level of employment.

L

Step by Step Solution

3.37 Rating (156 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related Development Economics Questions!