The economy produces four distinct types of goods based on two key characteristics -- consumption rivalry and nonpayer excludability. Consumption rivalry arises if consumption of a good by one person prevents another from also consuming. Nonpayer excludability means potential consumers who do not pay for a good can be excluded from consuming. Private goods are rival in consumption and easily subject to the exclusion of nonpayers. Public goods are nonrival in consumption and the exclusion of nonpayers is virtually impossible. Near-public goods are nonrival in consumption and easily subject to exclusion. Common-property goods are rival in consumption and not easily subject to exclusion. Private goods can be efficiently exchanged through markets. Public, near-public and common-property goods cannot, but require some degree of government involvement for efficiency.

Complete Entry | Visit the WEB*pedia

Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time at an auction looking to buy either an instructional DVD on learning to the play the oboe or a small, foam rubber football. Be on the lookout for broken fingernail clippers.
Your Complete Scope

This isn't me! What am I?

-- Friedrich Nietzsche, Philosopher

User Feedback