What is the concept of public goods as a quasi-public good?

The concept of public goods as a quasi-public good refers to goods or services that possess characteristics of both public goods and private goods. Quasi-public goods are non-excludable, meaning that once they are provided, it is difficult to exclude individuals from benefiting from them. However, they are partially rivalrous, meaning that the consumption of the good by one individual may reduce its availability or quality for others, although to a lesser extent compared to private goods.

Unlike pure public goods, which are completely non-rivalrous and non-excludable, quasi-public goods have some level of rivalry and can be partially excluded. This means that while everyone can benefit from the provision of a quasi-public good, there may be some limitations or costs associated with accessing or enjoying it.

Examples of quasi-public goods include toll roads, public parks with limited capacity, and cable television. Toll roads are non-excludable as anyone can use them, but they are partially rivalrous as increased traffic can lead to congestion and reduced efficiency. Public parks may have limited capacity, making them partially rivalrous, but they are generally open to the public without exclusion. Cable television is another example, as it requires a subscription and is partially excludable, but the signal can be shared among multiple viewers, making it partially non-rivalrous.

The concept of quasi-public goods highlights the complexities in categorizing goods solely as public or private. It recognizes that some goods may possess characteristics of both, and their classification can depend on factors such as the level of rivalry, excludability, and the specific context in which they are provided.