The Welfare Implications of Minimum Quality Standards
分析最低质量标准对社会福利的影响，发现当消费者能在购买前感知质量时，标准会明确减少净社会效益，并探讨其作为寻租行为的可能性。
Abstract Previous analysis of the social welfare implications of minimum quality standards has yielded no decisive results. In this paper the specific nature of consumer and producer responses to quality standards is incorporated into the analysis. Both consumer and producer gains are shown to be impossible when consumers can perceive quality before purchase, even if low quality produce is diverted to secondary markets. Standards unambiguously reduce net social benefits. The paper explores the possibility that minimum quality standards are a form of rent‐seeking behavior.