In the absence of externalities, the perfectly competitive market maximizes economic surplus when:

• A. the government imposes a price ceiling below the equilibrium price
• B. producers minimize their average total cost regardless of consumer demand
• C. the price is set above the equilibrium level
• D. the marginal benefit to consumers equals the marginal cost to producers

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of economic surplus, which is the sum of consumer surplus and producer surplus in a market.
2. Recall that in a perfectly competitive market without externalities, economic surplus is maximized at the equilibrium price and quantity where supply equals demand.
3. Recognize that the equilibrium condition is where the marginal benefit to consumers (demand) equals the marginal cost to producers (supply), i.e., \(\text{MB} = \text{MC}\).
4. Analyze why price ceilings below equilibrium or prices set above equilibrium cause deadweight loss by creating shortages or surpluses, thus reducing total economic surplus.
5. Conclude that the condition for maximizing economic surplus is when the market price adjusts so that marginal benefit equals marginal cost, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.