--%>

Free-rider problem

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.

E

Expert

Verified

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.

   Related Questions in Finance Basics

  • Q : What is an Investment Management

    Investment Management: It has two general definitions, one associating to advisory services and the other associated to corporate finance. In the initial instance, a financial advisor or services company gives inve

  • Q : What is Cash Flow Statement What is

    What is Cash Flow Statement: It is a statement of cash receipts and disbursements for a particular time period.

  • Q : Demand for small automobiles Normal 0

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : How do mergers influence small

    How do mergers influence small businesses?According to a recent study through Federal Reserve & Wharton Financial Institutions Center economists, not a great deal. Their analysis revealed that acquisitions don't seem to be related with a sig

  • Q : Meaning of weakens US dollar in

    What does it mean while the U.S. dollar weakens in the foreign exchange market? While the U.S. dollar weakens in the foreign exchange market one U.S. dollar purchase fewer units of another country's currency. It costs more U.S. dollars to purch

  • Q : Label equilibrium price P-equilibrium

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : What is Budget Act Budget Act (BA): The

    Budget Act (BA): The annual statute authorizing state departments to use up appropriated funds for the aims stated in the Governor's Budget and improved by the Legislature.

  • Q : Four major phases of the business cycle

    Normal 0 false false

  • Q : Explain Encumbrance Encumbrance : The

    Encumbrance: The commitment of all or portion of an appropriation for future expenses. The Encumbrances symbolize commitments associated to unfilled purchase orders or unfulfilled contracts. Exceptional encumbrances are recognized as budgetary expense

  • Q : Define Allocation Allocation : The

    Allocation: The distribution of funds or costs from one account or misuse to one or more accounts or appropriations (example, the allocation of employee compensation funding from the statewide 9800 Budget Act items to the departmental Budget Act items