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AP MicroeconomicsMarket Failure & Government

Asymmetric Information

Asymmetric information exists when one party in a transaction knows more than the other, which can lead to market inefficiency.

It causes problems such as adverse selection (before a deal) and moral hazard (after a deal). Used-car and insurance markets are classic examples. It can shrink or break markets unless remedies like warranties, screening, or signaling are used.

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