In the context of consumer surplus and willingness to pay, businesses and industries in the 1920s most closely followed the buying demands of which group?

• A. Labor unions negotiating higher wages
• B. Consumers, as reflected by their willingness to pay for goods and services
• C. Government agencies setting price controls
• D. Foreign investors seeking export opportunities

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of consumer surplus, which is the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay.
2. Recognize that willingness to pay reflects consumer preferences and demand, indicating how much value consumers place on goods and services.
3. Analyze the historical context of the 1920s, where businesses aimed to maximize profits by responding to consumer demand rather than external pressures like labor unions or government controls.
4. Identify that labor unions and government agencies influence prices and wages but do not directly represent the buying demands that drive consumer surplus.
5. Conclude that businesses most closely followed the buying demands of consumers, as their willingness to pay directly affects market prices and sales.