Question:

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): The sum of consumer surplus and producer surplus is known as total economic surplus.
Statement (II): Any shift of the supply curve to the left reduces the consumer surplus.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

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A leftward shift of the supply curve increases market prices, which always hurts consumers by reducing consumer surplus.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
  • Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
  • Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Welfare economics uses consumer surplus and producer surplus to measure market efficiency and social welfare.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us evaluate each of the statements:
- Statement (I): The sum of consumer surplus and producer surplus is known as total economic surplus.
This is correct.
Consumer surplus represents the benefit consumers receive from purchasing a good at a price lower than their maximum willingness to pay.
Producer surplus represents the benefit producers receive from selling a good at a price higher than their marginal cost of production.
The sum of these two measures:
\[ \text{Total Economic Surplus} = \text{Consumer Surplus} + \text{Producer Surplus} \] This sum measures the net benefit generated by the market, making Statement (I) correct.
- Statement (II): Any shift of the supply curve to the left reduces the consumer surplus.
This is correct.
A leftward shift of the supply curve represents a decrease in supply.
In a competitive market with a downward-sloping demand curve, a decrease in supply increases the equilibrium price ($P^* \uparrow$) and decreases the equilibrium quantity ($Q^* \downarrow$).
Because consumer surplus is the area below the demand curve and above the market price line, an increase in the market price reduces the size of this area.
Thus, a leftward shift of the supply curve reduces consumer surplus.
Therefore, both statements are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
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