17. Which of the following is not a true statement about monoplies?
a. Monopolies try to charge higher prices
than would result through competition.
b. By maximizing profits, monopolies
ultimately benefit social welfare.
c. Antitrust laws attempt to reduce
monopoly power.
d. Monopolies may try to influence the
political system in order to protect and
enhance their power.

After the 2008 recession, the amount of reserves in the us banking system increased. because of federal reserve actions, required reserves increased from $44 billion to $60 billion. however, banks started holding more reserves than required. by january 2009, banks were holding $900 billion in excess reserves. the federal reserve started paying interest on the excess reserves that the banks held. what possible impact will these unused reserves have on the economy?

In 2015, lori assigned a paid-up whole life insurance policy to an irrevocable life insurance trust (ilit) for the benefit of her three children. the ilit contained a crummey provision for the benefit of each child. at the time of the transfer, the whole life insurance policy was valued at $200,000, and since lori had not made any other taxable gifts during her lifetime, she did not owe any gift tax. lori died in 2016, and the face value of the whole life insurance policy of $2,000,000 was paid to the ilit. regarding this transfer, how much is included in lori’s gross estate at her death?

Suppose that electricity producers create a negative externality equal to $5 per unit. further suppose that the government imposes a $5 per-unit tax on the producers. what is the relationship between the after-tax equilibrium quantity and the socially optimal quantity of electricity to be produced?