主题：【原创】我见到的闰土 -- Swell

Example of the Efficiency Principle

Let’s say, for example, that a lemonade stand, which sells only lemonade and chocolate-chip cookies, represents the economy. Lemonade costs $1 a glass and cookies are $0.50 each.

Given the total underlying supply of lemons, sugar, chocolate chips, and labor, the stand can produce a total of 75 cups of lemonade and 50 cookies in a given time frame at a cost of $20. In this scenario, let's also assume market demand is for only 75 cups of lemonade and 50 cookies.

Under the efficiency principle, the total output should be $100, or $75 from the lemonade and $25 from the cookie, and profit should be $80, or the $100 in revenue minus costs of $20.

If the total output is less than $100, there is deadweight loss somewhere in the economy. Moreover, if the stand produces any other combination of lemonade and cookies, the result will be inefficient. It will not meet total demand at the lowest possible cost, and will not achieve the best possible $80 benefit.