Define the term public good and give me two examples of public goods.

A public good is a good or service which is both non-rival and non-excludable. Non rival means that one person consuming the good does not stop somebody else from consuming it. For example, cake is rival, as if I eat a particular cake, nobody else can eat that same cake. Non-excludability refers to an inability to bar people from consuming the good; nobody can stop me from consuming street lamps when I walk down the street. Two examples of public goods are defence and street lighting.

TC
Answered by Tim C. Economics tutor

4230 Views

See similar Economics A Level tutors

Related Economics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Consider the Supermarket Industry. Tesco dominates the market with a 43% market share. Its closest rival is Sainsbury's with 19% of the market. Outline the potential costs and benefits of a merger between the two supermarkets.


Explain with a diagram how a sugar tax affects the market equilibrium for A. coca cola, and for B. bottled water


What can the government do to reduce pollution (negative externality from market failure) within the community?


Despite a plunge in the value of Sterling during 2016, the UK managed to post the highest current account deficit on record. Why did the plunge in sterling not translate into a reduction in the CA deficit?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning