Among the following examples, the one that best illustrates a public good is:
A) The laptops used by students in a college or university
B) The movies produced by Hollywood companies
C) The bike paths around a city or town
D) The airline tickets bought by vacationers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A public good is a service or product that is non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning that it is difficult to prevent someone from accessing it and its consumption by one person does not diminish its availability to others. The bike paths around a city or town fit this definition as they can be used by anyone without restriction and their use by one person does not prevent others from using them as well. The laptops used by students, the movies produced by Hollywood companies, and the airline tickets bought by vacationers are not public goods as they are excludable (one can be prevented from using them) or rivalrous (their use by one person decreases their availability to others).

Among the Following Examples, the One That Best Illustrates a Public