7: Market Failure: Externalities Last updated Jan 4, 2021 Save as PDF 6.3: Price Elasticity of Supply 7.1: Introducing Market Failure Page ID3476 BoundlessBoundless ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) Topic hierarchy7.1: Introducing Market FailureMarket failure occurs when the price mechanism fails to account for all of the costs and benefits necessary to provide and consume a good.7.2: Externalities in DepthNegative externalities are costs caused by an activity that affect an otherwise uninvolved party who did not choose to incur that cost.7.3: Government Policy OptionsThe government can respond to externalities through command-and-control policies or market-based policies.7.4: Private SolutionsPrivate actors will sometimes effectively address externalities and reach efficient outcomes without government intervention.