The correct answer to the question is “d. the domestic government.” Let’s explore in detail why this answer is correct and why the other options are not:

The Domestic Government (Correct Answer):

When import licenses are auctioned off to domestic importers in a competitive market, the scarcity value, often referred to as the revenue effect, accrues to the domestic government.

In this scenario, the government conducts auctions to allocate import licenses to domestic importers. Import licenses represent the right to import a restricted quantity of goods, typically due to government-imposed restrictions such as quotas or tariffs.

The revenue effect, which is the revenue generated from these auctions, flows directly to the domestic government’s treasury. Domestic importers bid for the limited number of licenses, and the highest bidders secure the right to import the restricted goods.

The money paid by the winning bidders during these auctions becomes government revenue, which can be used to fund various government activities, services, or programs. It essentially represents income that the government collects from the importers seeking access to the restricted market.

The practice of auctioning import licenses in a competitive market is a means for the government to capture some of the economic benefits resulting from the limited supply of import opportunities, and it is commonly used as a revenue-generating mechanism.

Foreign Corporations (Incorrect Answer):

The revenue generated from the auctioning of import licenses does not typically accrue to foreign corporations. Instead, it benefits the domestic government, as explained above.

Foreign corporations are not directly involved in the allocation of import licenses in most cases. They may be affected by import quotas or restrictions, but the revenue effect from import license auctions primarily serves the domestic government’s financial interests.

Foreign Workers (Incorrect Answer):

The revenue effect from import license auctions also does not accrue to foreign workers. Import license auctions primarily involve domestic importers and the domestic government. While foreign workers might be indirectly affected by import restrictions or quotas, they are not the beneficiaries of the revenue generated through these auctions.

Domestic Corporations (Incorrect Answer):

The revenue effect does not directly accrue to domestic corporations. The primary recipients of the revenue generated from import license auctions are the domestic government.

Domestic corporations may participate in these auctions as bidders, but they do so to gain access to restricted markets and are required to pay the winning bid amount to the government. Therefore, the revenue effect ultimately benefits the domestic government rather than domestic corporations.

In conclusion, “d. the domestic government” is the correct answer because when import licenses are auctioned off in a competitive market, the revenue effect or the scarcity value generated from these auctions accrues to the domestic government. This revenue is an important source of income for the government and is used to fund various public initiatives and services.

The other options, foreign corporations, foreign workers, and domestic corporations, are not the primary beneficiaries of this revenue; it primarily serves the government’s financial interests in managing import quotas and restrictions.