Creating a market system
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/15/891488686/summer-school-2-markets-pickles
Listen this 31 minutes podcast and answer the questions. No need to use formal words.
1. Explain how the food banks improved efficiency by creating a market system to allocate food.
2. Each food bank was given “money” (shares) based on need and number of clients served. How does that differ from how a real market works, and what effect does that have on distribution/allocation? Which method do you think is better?
3. One main topic of the podcast is whether market forces are the best way to allocate scarce resources. A major debate going on these days is how much market forces should be used in allocating resources in education (for example should all schools be private) and health care (other wealthy nations have national health care, not the largely private system we use the US). Choose one of these areas (education or health care) and briefly explain why you think markets should or should not be used.
Sample Solution
1. Food banks improved efficiency by creating a market system to allocate food by setting up a virtual marketplace where food pantries can bid against each other for food items that have been donated, such as canned goods and dry foods. Each food bank is given an amount of “money,” or shares, which are based on the need of their clients and the number of people they serve.
This money allows them to purchase the desired items from partner donors in order to stock up their pantries. This system encourages collaboration among different pantries in order to get the most out of donations and meet their clients' needs more efficiently instead of having them compete for limited resources.
2. The difference between this method and how a real market works lies mainly in how funds are distributed; rather than being allocated through competitive bidding or pricing mechanisms, it is instead determined by need-based criteria such as client numbers served per organization or area demographics etc. This type of distribution could lead to better allocation since those with greater needs will receive additional resources while those who don’t require as much assistance still receive enough for basic requirements. However, an inherent limitation may be that certain organizations may not get access to quality resources due to lack of competition (and thus no incentive) among providers when purchasing goods at low prices just because they meet certain key criteria but do not have excess funds available that would allow them to bid higher than other organizations with similar need levels.. In my opinion both methods have pros and cons so I think it depends on what goals you want achieve – if quick service with quality products at low cost is preferred then a real market would likely be best while if equity is prioritized then the new system developed by these particular food banks could be more suitable overall.
3: Markets should not be used when allocating resources in health care because healthcare should be seen as a right for all citizens regardless of income level or demographic factors; markets inherently privilege those with greater financial means over others which goes against this fundamental concept behind providing universal access without discrimination or exclusionary practices - medical services should only depend on medical necessity rather than ability pay exorbitant fees associated with private care providers . Furthermore there are multiple studies demonstrating how increased privatization has led negative outcomes like reduced quality care , unequal physician coverage , restricted consumer choice , decline physician morale etc . On the other hand markets can play beneficial role when allocating educational resources especially within larger school systems . For one thing using market forces would provide parents/students more control over where/how they learn since they’d theoretically have option choose across variety schools based on location , curricula offerings & reputation etc . It also incentivizes schools develop innovative teaching approaches & experiment w/ technology–based learning options attract more students; likewise competition between schools promote higher quality performance thru better pay grades & professional support staff hire faculty who offer unique value add courses which aren't available traditional public institutions give educational administrators data points monitor effectiveness programs roll out financing initiatives address budgetary concerns create incentives keep tuition costs down attracting high caliber students as well promoting equality opportunity regardless economic backgrounds etc