Alpen Inc. is a manufacturing firm that holds a patent for a new food processing machine, which is considerably more efficient and safe. Being the only firm that manufactures that product, Alpen Inc. charges a very high price for its products. This is referred to as .

a. monopoly rent
b. technology lag
c. incumbent inertia
d. absorptive capacity

Gif the federal reserve did not regulate fiscal policy, monitor banks and provide services for banks, what would most likely be the economic conditions to transact business in the u.s.? the economy would primarily be based on a barter system rather than a fiat system. there would be no discrimination in lending by local banks. the economy would be less efficient and transactions most likely more costly.