Objetivos distributivos e preços discriminatórios para empresas prestadoras de serviços públicos

Abstract

This article derives optimal discriminatory prices for a public monopoly when distributional objetives and a deficit constraint are taken into account; it also discusses the inter play of variables such as demand price elasticities and welfare weights in the process of household price differentiation. An analysis is also made of how economic development facts, such as the reduction in income inequalities and population immigration towards urban centres, affect public utilities rates determination. The article also illustrates how implicit welfare weights of current price schedules can be unveiled and examines how sensitive the price ratios are in relation to distributional goals.