Discuss the concept of public goods as a national joint good.

Public goods are goods or services that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous in nature. This means that once provided, they are available to all individuals in a society and one person's consumption of the good does not diminish its availability for others. Public goods are often considered as national joint goods because they benefit the entire nation as a whole.

One key characteristic of public goods is non-excludability. This means that it is difficult or impossible to exclude individuals from benefiting from the good once it is provided. For example, national defense is a public good as it protects the entire nation, and it is not feasible to exclude certain individuals from its benefits. Similarly, street lighting is another example of a public good as it benefits all citizens and it is not possible to exclude specific individuals from its illumination.

Another characteristic of public goods is non-rivalry. This means that one person's consumption of the good does not reduce its availability for others. For instance, if a person enjoys the clean air provided by environmental regulations, it does not diminish the availability of clean air for others. Similarly, public parks and recreational facilities can be used by multiple individuals simultaneously without reducing their enjoyment for others.

Public goods are often provided by the government because they have the ability to overcome the free-rider problem. The free-rider problem arises when individuals have an incentive to not contribute towards the provision of a public good, as they can still benefit from it without incurring any costs. This leads to under-provision of public goods in the absence of government intervention.

To ensure the provision of public goods, governments typically finance them through taxation or other forms of revenue collection. This allows for the equitable distribution of costs among the population, ensuring that everyone contributes towards the provision of public goods. By providing public goods, governments aim to promote the overall welfare and well-being of the nation as a whole.

In conclusion, public goods are considered as national joint goods because they benefit the entire nation, are non-excludable, and non-rivalrous in nature. Governments play a crucial role in providing and financing public goods to overcome the free-rider problem and promote the collective welfare of the society.