Explain the term free riders. What will be an ideal ...

[serike]

Explain the term free riders.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How are the following events likely to affect the market supply of rice in an economy?
  a) A fall in the wage rate of farm labor
  b) An increase in the productivity of farm capital due to better technology
  c) An increase in the use of agricultural
 
  land for non-agricultural purposes

[janieazgirl]

Answer to Question 1

Free riders are people who don't contribute but still benefit from the actions that others undertake. Sometimes people pursue their own private interests and don't contribute voluntarily to the public interest, and this causes free riding. For example, a free rider may avoid paying taxes but enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by tax payers.

Answer to Question 2

a) A fall in the wage rate of farm labor will lower the cost of producing rice, allowing farmers to supply more at the same market price. As such there will be an increase in the supply of rice, and this will be represented by a right shift in the market supply curve.
b) An increase in the productivity of farm capital implies a fall in the cost of production. This will allow farmers to supply more at a given price. This will be represented by a right shift in the market supply curve for rice.
c) An increase in the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes will imply a fall in the scale and size of producers. As such there will be a decrease in the supply of rice, and this will be represented by a left shift in the market supply curve of rice.

[serike]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[zacnyjessica]

Excellent