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.
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)
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.