Curated OER
Eminent Domain: Should Private Property Be Taken for Public Use?
Students explore the concept of eminent domain. In this eminent domain lesson, students analyze positive and negative consequences of Supreme Court rulings in three cases pertaining to the public good.
Curated OER
Introduction to Philanthropy- Recognizing Good Citizenship and Philanthropy in Our Community
Students define philanthropy. In this community activity, students read A River Ran Wild and discuss the needs in the communities presented. Students discuss aspects of philanthropy in a community and brainstorm elements of a healthy...
![Ssec: Health Care: Who Should Pay the Cost? [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Ssec: Health Care: Who Should Pay the Cost? [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Social Science Education Consortium
Ssec: Health Care: Who Should Pay the Cost? [Pdf]
In this investigation, students explore issues around the provision of health care in the United States. They look at how it is financed, why the costs are growing so rapidly, whether it is a public or private good, and possible...
Library of Economics and Liberty
Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: Public Goods
This article describes the relationship between externalities, private and public goods, and government intervention.
Digital History
Digital History: The Age of Social Change [Pdf]
Find the text of James Madison's tenth Federalist paper in which he expresses the idea of how government can provide the need for stability that citizens require. [pdf]
Digital History
Digital History: The Theory of Laissez Faire [Pdf]
The economic philosophy of laissez-faire was espoused by Adam Smith in his book, Wealth of Nations. Read about the concepts of this philosophy, how it pertained to American business in the late 19h century, and what the drawbacks to...
Other
Private Provisions of Public Goods: Issues and Examples [Pdf]
This essay examines public goods and their provision by the government. The argument uses lighthouses and warships from historical contexts as examples. For the advanced economics student.
Other
Le Monde Diplomatique: What Is a Public Good?
This article describes the concept of public and private goods and gives examples within a global context. Whether or not the good is "rival" or "excludable" is also discussed. (Published June 2000)
Auburn University
Auburn University: A Glossary of Political Economy Terms: Public Goods Defined
This site is an excellent explanation of the economic concept of public goods. The Auburn University site is part of a dictionary of political economic terms.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is a Free Rider?
Not everybody who benefits from a public good contributes to its creation or maintenance. Learn about free riders.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Ben's Town
Learn lessons in civic responsibility from Benjamin Franklin, whose practical solutions to the problems of city living set the standard for civic engagement in the eighteenth century and today. Read about Franklin's support for public...
Tutor2u
Tutor2u: Public Goods
An easy to understand description of a public good, its characteristics, and examples. The public good is contrasted against a private good.