Public Goods

/ˈpʌblɪk ɡʊdz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Goods or services that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning they are available to all members of a society without depletion by individual use.
    National defense is widely considered a classic example of public goods under law.

Forms

  • public goods
  • public good

Commentary

In legal contexts, public goods often arise in discussions of property rights, regulation, and government provision; careful distinction from private goods aids in drafting legislation and policy analysis.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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