In the context of consumer demand, when individuals do not reveal their true willingness to pay, it can lead to a situation known as __________, where some individuals benefit from public goods without contributing to their provision.

In the context of consumer demand, when individuals do not reveal their true willingness to pay, it can lead to a situation known as free riding. This happens when people take advantage of public goods, like clean air or national defense, without paying for them. Since these goods are available to everyone, some individuals may choose not to contribute to their costs, thinking they can benefit without spending any money. For example, if a community builds a park funded by local taxes, some residents might enjoy the park without contributing to the taxes that support it. This can create problems because if too many people free ride, there may not be enough funds to maintain or create public goods in the future.