In economics, what is the meaning of the phrase 'the tragedy of the commons?' Goods that are not rivalrous but are excludable are under‐produced by private markets, often with consequences that reduce social welfare. People will overuse or misuse a common resource that is not excludable but is rivalrous. It serves the common good to produce items that are neither rivalrous nor excludable, but profit‑maximizing firms will not produce such products. In market economies products are often similar and common, so the government must actively attempt to create variety in goods and services. In decisions involving intellectual property rights, policy-makers must compromise in order to reach common ground among competing interest groups.

Each of the following scenarios is based on facts in anactual fraud. categorize each scenario as primarily indicating (1) anincentive to commit fraud, (2) an opportunity to commit fraud, or(3) a rationalization for committing fraud. also state your reasoningfor each scenario. a. there was intense pressure to keep the corporation ' stock from declining further. this pressure came from investors, analysts, and the ceo, whose financial well-being was significantly dependent on the corporation ' s stock price. b. a group of top-level management was compensated (mostly in the form of stock-options) well in excess of what would be considered normal for their positions in this industry. c. top management of the company closely guards internal financial information, to the extent that even some employees on a “need-to-know basis” are denied full access. d. managing specific financial ratios is very important to the company, and both management and analysts are keenly observant of variability in key ratios. key ratios for the company changed very little even though the ratios for the overall industry were quite volatile during the time period. e. in an effort to reduce certain accrued expenses to meet budget targets, the cfo directs the general accounting department to reallocate a division’s expenses by a significant amount. the general accounting department refuses to acquiesce to the request, but the journal entry is made trough the corporate office. an accountant in the general accounting department is uncomfortable with the journal entries required to reallocate divisional expenses. he brings his concerns to the cfo, who assures him that everything will be fine and that the entries are necessary. the accountant considers resigning, but he does not have another job lined up and is worried about supporting his family. therefore, he never voices his concerns to either the internal or external auditors. f. accounting records were either nonexistent or in a state of such disorganization that significant effort was required to locate or compile them.

John and daphne are saving for their daughter ellen's college education. ellen just turned 10 at (t = 0), and she will be entering college 8 years from now (at t = 8). college tuition and expenses at state u. are currently $14,500 a year, but they are expected to increase at a rate of 3.5% a year. ellen should graduate in 4 years--if she takes longer or wants to go to graduate school, she will be on her own. tuition and other costs will be due at the beginning of each school year (at t = 8, 9, 10, and 11).so far, john and daphne have accumulated $15,000 in their college savings account (at t = 0). their long-run financial plan is to add an additional $5,000 in each of the next 4 years (at t = 1, 2, 3, and 4). then they plan to make 3 equal annual contributions in each of the following years, t = 5, 6, and 7. they expect their investment account to earn 9%. how large must the annual payments at t = 5, 6, and 7 be to cover ellen's anticipated college costs? a. $1,965.21b. $2,068.64c. $2,177.51d. $2,292.12e. $2,412.76

Happy foods and general grains both produce similar puffed rice breakfast cereals. for both companies, thecost of producing a box of cereal is 45 cents, and it is not possible for either company to lower their productioncosts any further. how can one company achieve a competitive advantage over the other?