📚 Learning Guide
Public Goods and Free Rider Problem
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Which of the following best illustrates a market failure due to the free rider problem in the context of public goods?

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Learning Path

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A lighthouse providing navigation assistance to all ships, regardless of whether they pay for it.

B

A private company producing cars that meet safety standards.

C

A local bakery offering discounts for bulk purchases.

D

A government imposing taxes on luxury items.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

A market failure occurs when the free market does not allocate resources efficiently, and one example of this is the free rider problem with public goods. Public goods are things like clean air, national defense, or streetlights that everyone can use without paying for them. Because people can benefit without contributing, many choose not to pay, which can lead to underfunding or a lack of these goods. For instance, if a community decides to build a new park, some residents might enjoy it without donating to its creation, relying on others to cover the costs. This can result in fewer parks being built, even though they would benefit everyone, illustrating how the free rider problem can lead to market failure.

Detailed Explanation

A lighthouse helps all ships, even those that don't pay. Other options are incorrect because This option is about a private company; A bakery selling discounts is a business choice.

Key Concepts

Market failure
Cost-benefit analysis
Topic

Public Goods and Free Rider Problem

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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