Economics 9708/42 May/June 2020: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Economics (9708), Paper 4 Data Response and Essays, May/June 2020. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
The impact of economic concentration
By locating closely together manufacturers can often gain economic benefits. The makers of industrial machines save on transport and communication costs when they are close to the firms that supply their raw materials and components. A group of similar manufacturers attracts a large number of workers with similar skills. Educational and training facilities in the area will develop courses and research skills that support the local industry. Similar benefits also occur in service industries, for example with the concentration of information technology in Silicon Valley and finance in New York, Hong Kong and London, where groups of accountants, merchant bankers and specialist lawyers in mergers and acquisitions all exist in close proximity.
The scope for concentration depends on the size of the market. The recent trend towards globalisation has increased the size of the available market. This has allowed some internet retailing firms to overcome competition from other countries. But the overall impact has been the delivery of a wide range of goods and services at low prices that have benefited consumers everywhere. This suggests that globalisation has not been a ‘zero-sum’ game.
But concentration has not always been beneficial. Silicon Valley has significant traffic congestion and many local people are priced out of the housing market. Seven of the ten most polluted cities in China are in Hebei Province, a centre for the iron and steel industry. This concentration has caused large amounts of air, water and land pollution. The competing demand for a limited number of workers has also led to wage increases.
Geographical concentration of an industry can lead to problems when demand for the product changes. This has been evident in the United States (US) where the city of Detroit has experienced unemployment rates as high as 25% (see Fig. 1.1) and a fall in its population by over 60% because of the decline in Detroit’s motor industry caused by vehicle imports and the movement of production to US states where trade unions are not as strong.
Source: The Economist, 21 October 2017
30
25
20
Key
% Detroit
15
US
10
5
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Fig. 1.1: Unemployment rates in the US and Detroit, 2010–2017
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 12 May 2018
(a) Explain the meaning of zero-sum in game theory. [2]
(b) Use the information to explain how external economies of scale develop. Show, with the aid of a diagram, how this would affect a firm’s average costs. [5]
(c) There is a fall in demand for the product of a geographically concentrated industry. Analyse the economic implications of this for the area where the industry is located. [6]
(d) Consider how the negative externalities from concentrated industrial production can be reduced. [7]
Section B
Answer two questions.
Mark scheme
1(a) Explain the meaning of zero-sum in game theory. 2
The total benefit is fixed (1) and one party can only gain if the other party loses
(1)
1(b) Use the evidence to explain how external economies of scale develop. 5
Show, with the aid of a diagram, how this would affect a firm’s average
costs.
Common supply of raw materials/components/pool of skilled labour.
Development of ancillary services such as education/legal.
These lead to external economies of scale which reduce long run average cost
for all companies operating in the area/region.
2 + 2 + 1 for diagram
1(c) There is a fall in demand for the product of a concentrated industry. 6
Analyse the economic implications of this for the area where the industry
is located.
A fall in demand will be an example of structural unemployment, falling
incomes, a local negative multiplier effect, falling house prices, movement of
population.
An analysis of 3 effects x 2
1(d) Consider how the negative externalities from concentrated industrial 7
production can be reduced.
Explanation of negative externalities with reference to passage 1
Consideration of the role of 2 policies from
taxation/subsidy/legislation/education 3 + 3
(a) Use indifference curve analysis to explain the derivation of an individual demand curve for a normal good. [12]
(b) Discuss, using indifference curve analysis, whether the demand for a good always increases when its price falls. [13]
Mark scheme
2(a) Use indifference curve analysis to explain the derivation of an individual 12
demand curve for a normal good.
An explanation of indifference curves (IC) and the budget line (BL). Tangency
of IC and BL. Change in price of one good shown by moving BL. Conversion of
the price effect to a demand curve.
L4 (9–12 marks): For a sound explanation of equilibrium changing when the
price on one good and BL changes to a new equilibrium. The conversion of this
effect to an explicit drawing of the demand curve. Accurate diagrams.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an explanation of equilibrium changing when the price on
one good and BL changes to a new equilibrium.
L2 (5–6 marks): For a limited explanation which shows the tangency of the IC
and BL.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
2(b) Discuss, using indifference curve analysis, whether the demand for a 13
good always increases when its price falls.
Income and substitution effects need to be explained and applied in the context
of a falling price. The three alternatives: i) YE & SE are both positive and
reinforce each other, ii) YE is negative & SE is positive but more than YE and
iii) YE is negative but greater than SE are.
L4 (9–13 marks): For an answer which concentrates on either the fall in income,
and impact on demand or the fall in price showing the movement of the BL and
the impact on the quantity demanded. Discussion of the significance of the
income effect and the substitution effects. Accurate diagrams. Max 11 if no
conclusion.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an answer which concentrates on either the fall in income,
and impact on demand and the fall in price showing the movement of the BL and
the impact on the quantity demanded.
L2 (5–6 marks): For an answer which concentrates on either the fall in income,
and impact on demand or the fall in price showing the movement of the BL and
the impact on the quantity demanded.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
(a) Explain how the fixed and variable costs of a perfectly competitive firm affect its survival in the short and long run. [12]
(b) Explain what is meant by the principal-agent problem and consider its importance in relation to the objectives for a firm. [13]
Mark scheme
3(a) Explain how the fixed and variable costs of a perfectly competitive firm 12
affect its survival in the short and long run.
Definitions of fixed and variable costs and long and short run. Need to cover
variable cost in the short run, shut down if variable costs not covered in short
run. Need to cover both fixed and variable cost (total costs) in the long run.
L4 (9–12 marks): For a thorough explanation of fixed and variable costs linked to
both the short and long run, clear identification that all costs are variable in the
long run, together with explanations of their relevance to the survival of a perfectly
competitive firm.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an answer which concentrates on either the short run and
the long run or variable and fixed costs with reference to profits.
L2 (5–6 marks): For limited correct comments on types of costs.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
3(b) Explain what is meant by the principal-agent problem and consider its 13
importance in relation to the objectives for a firm.
L4 (9–13 marks): For an answer that clearly identifies the principal-agent (PA)
problem. At least two objectives for firms identified and clearly linked to the PA
problem The impact on profit, price and output for the firm and consumer.
Accurate diagrams. Max 11 if no conclusion.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an answer that clearly identifies the principal-agent (PA)
problem but is limits its consideration of the impact to the firm or the consumer.
L2 (5–6 marks): For an answer which defines the principal-agent problem with
limited reference to its impact on a firms objectives.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
‘Government intervention in the microeconomy always improves efficiency.’
Discuss the validity of this claim. [25]
Mark scheme
4 ‘Government intervention in the microeconomy always improves 25
efficiency.’
Discuss the validity of this claim.
Definitions of productive, allocative, dynamic efficiency, Pareto optimality.
Examples of market failures and relevant government intervention, taxes,
subsidies direct provision. Government: under/over estimation of the problem,
lack of information, time lag problem.
L4 (18–25 marks): For an accurate discussion based on definitions of
efficiency and clearly linked to government microeconomic policy. The
limitations of the government in achieving its aims are recognised. A conclusion
is drawn. (Max 21 no conclusion).
L3 (14–17 marks): For an answer which explains two forms of efficiency and
explains 2 types of government intervention. There is a limited conclusion: 16..
L2 (10–13 marks): For an accurate explanation based on a single form of
efficiency and a limited reference to forms of government intervention.
L1 (1–9 marks): For an answer which shows some knowledge but does not
indicate that the question has been fully grasped, or where the answer contains
irrelevancies and errors of theory.
In January 2018 tax reductions were introduced in the US, and the Federal Reserve Bank (the US central bank) announced it would raise interest rates later in the year.
Discuss how these policies may cause conflicts for a government in trying to achieve its macroeconomic aims. [25]
Mark scheme
5 In January 2018 tax reduction were introduced in the United States of 25
America (USA) at the same time the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed)
announced it would raise interest rates in that year.
Discuss how these policies may cause conflicts for a government in
trying to achieve its macroeconomic aims.
The major macroeconomic aims: economic growth, inflation, unemployment,
balance of payments and development. The impact of a reduction in taxation
on a government’s ability to achieve its aims through increases in
consumption/investment/government borrowing and the impact of higher
interest rates on consumption/investment/exchange rate. Reference to the
multiplier effect.
L4 (18–25 marks): For an accurate discussion based on the ability to achieve
least 3 aims simultaneously and the development of both the change in
taxation or the change in interest rates on the ability to achieve the aims limited
reference to the two policies. . A conclusion is drawn. (Max 21 no conclusion).
L3 (14–17 marks): For an discussion based on the ability to achieve least 3
aims simultaneously and good development of either the change in taxation or
the change in interest rates on the ability to achieve the aims. A limited
conclusion otherwise max 16
L2 (10–13 marks): For an accurate explanation based on the ability to achieve
least 3 aims simultaneously and limited reference to the two policies.
L1 (1–9 marks): For an answer which shows some knowledge but does not
indicate that the question has been fully grasped, or where the answer contains
irrelevancies and errors of theory.
(a) Compare the characteristics of developed and developing countries. [12]
(b) Discuss whether gross domestic product (GDP) is the best measure of a country’s standard of living. [13]
Mark scheme
6(a) Compare the different characteristics of developed and developing 12
countries.
The difference in population growth and structure, income distribution,
economic structure, employment composition, external trade and urbanisation.
L4 (9–12 marks): For developed and accurate explanations of 4 characteristics
and how they differ between developed and developing countries Accurate
diagrams.
L3 (7–8 marks): For a more developed and accurate explanation of 3
characteristics and how they differ between developed and developing countries.
L2 (5–6 marks): For a limited but accurate explanation of 3 characteristics and
how they differ between developed and developing countries.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
6(b) Discuss whether gross domestic product (GDP) is the best measure of a 13
country’s standard of living.
Explanation of the use of GDP as a measure of standard of living and its
adjustment to real GDP per capita. Consideration of alternative measures such
as Human Development Index (HDI), Measure of Economic Welfare (MEW),
Human Poverty Index (HPI), Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
L4 (9–13 marks): For an answer which discusses, in some depth, the
advantages and limitations of both GDP and an alternative measure of the
standard of living. Max 11 if no conclusion.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an answer which concentrates on GDP and its limitations
and explains an alternative measure of the standard but with limited conclusion of
which is better.
L2 (5–6 marks): For an answer which concentrates on GDP and mentions an
alternative measure of the standard of living.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
(a) Explain the Keynesian theory of the determination of the rate of interest. [12]
(b) Discuss the impact on the economy of the introduction of quantitative easing (QE) by the central bank. [13]
Mark scheme
7(a) Explain the Keynesian theory of the determination of interest. 12
Keynesian theory of interest rates. Determination of the three demands for
money: Transactionary/precautionary and speculative, effect of a change in the
rate of interest interaction with the quantity of money to determine the rate of
interest.
L4 (9–12 marks): For a detailed explanation of the theory- it should refer to all 3
demands for money in detail.
L3 (7–8 marks): For a more detailed explanation of the theory- it should refer to 2
of the 3 demands for money in some detail.
L2 (5–6 marks): For a limited but accurate explanation of the theory. It should
refer to all 3 demands for money and one in detail.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
7(b) Discuss the impact on the economy of the introduction of quantitative 13
easing (QE) by the central bank.
Explanation of the meaning of QE. Discussion of the impact of QE either through
the wealth effect from rising asset prices or effect on interest rates. The money
transmission mechanism and its impact on aggregate demand. Multiplier effect of
increased consumption on imports/ taxation/investment.
L4 (9–13 marks): For a balanced answer which explains QE and discusses in
detail the impact of QE on a range of economic variables. . Maximum 11 marks if
no conclusion.
L3 (7–8 marks): For an answer which explains QE and discusses the impact of
QE on a single economic variable e.g. output.
L2 (5–6 marks): For an answer which explains QE but fails to apply its impact to
the economy.
L1 (1–4 marks): For an answer which has some basic correct facts but includes
irrelevancies. Errors of theory or omissions of analysis will be substantial.
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Economics 9708/42 for May/June 2020 is out of 70 marks, with 2 hours 15 minutes to answer it.
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