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

3794 Views

See similar Economics A Level tutors

Related Economics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Discuss pricing and non-pricing strategies


What is a Pigouvian Tax?


What is market failure?


How do I explain what effect an increase in government spending may have on unemployment and inflation in an economy?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning