What are public goods?

Public goods are best defined as commodities or services that are accessible to all members of society without the necessity for individual payment or ownership. This characteristic of being available to everyone is critical in understanding public goods, as they provide benefits to the public at large.

The key features of public goods include non-excludability and non-rivalrous consumption. Non-excludability means that it is difficult or impossible to prevent anyone from using the good, while non-rivalry implies that one person's use of the good does not diminish its availability to others. Classic examples include clean air, national defense, and public parks, all of which serve the community as a whole.

In contrast, other options highlight different types of goods or services that do not fit the definition of public goods. Goods produced by private companies are typically private goods, which can be excludable and rivalrous. Products that require payment for consumption do not align with the concept of public goods, as they are accessible only to those who can afford to pay. Lastly, while government provision can be a source of public goods, it is not a defining characteristic, as public goods can also be provided through other means in certain contexts.