ECO 2252 – Principles of Microeconomics Discussion question

View the videos found in Module 7 Discussion & LearnLiberty/Stossel Videos then answer the following questions.

Specific to Monks Can’t Sell Caskets

1. Should it be a crime for the monks to sell caskets? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the casket regulations protect families who are buying them? Are these regulations necessary? Why or why not?

3. Should customers be able to choose what kind of casket they want and where to buy it? And if you believe these laws should apply to caskets, should they apply to ALL products? Explain why or why not.

Specific to Transit Union Tries to Block Entrepreneur

1. Do you think “Dollar Vans” should be allowed to compete with mass transit?

2. What would be the positive and/or negative effects of having the “Dollar Vans” operating in New York City?

3. Do you think laws that restrict competition in business are ever a good thing? Why or why not?

Solution Preview

Selling of caskets by Monks
It should not be illegal for Monks to sell caskets, this is because they should not be refused their rights to make a living more so if the state board’s interdict on the sale of caskets had nothing to do with; the safeguarding of public security, health and consumer well-being (Mankiw, 2006). Therefore, Monks should be restricted from carrying out this business, even the statute states that the board has the ability to give out a license to the burial services executives yet it does not give them ideal to direct individuals who are not authorized from selling coffins.

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