Belangrijke publieke goederen

Public goods are mainly provided by the government because they benefit everyone and cannot be limited only to those who pay for them. Private companies can't supply socially efficient quantities of these goods because they can't exclude the non-payers from using them, meaning that there is insufficient profit involved.

Some of the important public goods include national defense, basic research, and law and order.

National defense protects a country from external threats. Once established, national defense benefits all residents equally, as no one can be excluded from its protection.

Basic research contributes to the general pool of knowledge that benefits society. Unlike specific technological advancements that can be patented and sold, general knowledge, like mathematical theorems or principles of Physics, cannot be owned by one party. Governments often fund basic research because private firms have little incentive to invest in it.

Law and order, including policing, judicial systems, and crime prevention, ensure safety and societal stability. These services benefit all citizens equally and are best provided by the government to prevent exclusion and ensure impartial enforcement.