Free-rider problem

Question

Explain the two characteristics of public goods? Describe the significance of each for public provision as opposed to private provision. Depict the free-rider problem as it associate to public goods?  Is the Canadian border patrol a public good or a private good?  Why?  How regarding satellite TV?  Describe.

Answer 1

Public goods are non-rival (one person’s consumption does not avoid consumption by another) and non-excludable (once the goods are generated nobody including free riders can be excluded through the goods’ benefits).  If goods are non-rival, there is less incentive for private firms to generate them – those purchasing the good could just let others the employ without compensation. Similarly, if goods are non-excludable, private firms are unlikely to produce them as the potential for profit is low. The free-rider problem occurs while people benefit from the public good without contributing to the cost (tax revenue proportionate to the benefit attained). The Canadian border patrol is a public good – my use and benefit does not prevent yours. Satellite TV is a private good – if the dish, receiver, and service go to my residence it can’t go to my neighbours. The fact that I could invite my neighbour over to watch does not alter its status from being a private good.