Rationing is an attempt to alter the equilibrium quantity rather than the price, and is less commonly practiced in countries not involved in wars. Though, the legal drinking age can be thought of as a kind of rationing.

    QR is the rationed quantity in the graph to the right, the maximum amount that may be bought and sold legally. Consumers are willing to pay PD for one more unit while suppliers are willing to sell another unit for price PS. This large difference in the value placed on one more unit is a strong incentive for illegal activity. Effective rationing requires effective (costly) enforcement of the rationing laws.

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