文章基本信息

标题：The abuse of economic terminology
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作者：Alex Robson
期刊名称：Institute of Public Affairs. Review
印刷版ISSN：1329-8100
出版年度：2007
卷号：2007
期号：jun
出版社：Institute of Public Affairs
摘要：In economics, terms such as ‘public good’, ‘monopoly’ and ‘market failure’ have very precise definitions. But a quick glance through one’s favourite newspaper reveals that these terms are used carelessly or incorrectly time and again. The result is that policy debates end up mired in confusion, dishonesty and downright stupidity. Take ‘public goods’ for example. These are simply goods which simultaneously provide benefits to more than one individual (or, as economists say, they exhibit ‘non-rivalry’ in consumption). My consumption of a public good does not reduce your ability to enjoy it at the same time; whereas my consumption of a private good automatically eliminates the possibility that you can simultaneously enjoy it. The inability to exclude consumers (‘non-excludability’) from consuming the good is also sometimes included by economists as part of the definition of ‘publicness’.