5 ms·

I agree with you, but I'm gonna argue the other side right now since I see an objection to that particular line of argument. Suppose I now say that welfare is

by hugh3 16y ago

I agree with you, but I'm gonna argue the other side right now since I see an objection to that particular line of argument. Suppose I now say that welfare is a public good since without it we'd have poor folks either rioting or dying in the streets. I benefit from that and so do you. Another line-blurring example: food in prison is a private good in that only one prisoner can eat it; however I don't have a problem with the government paying for that.

lotharbot 16y ago
One could argue that welfare benefits the public, but that is not the same as saying welfare checks are public goods. It's a technical term that doesn't say anything about the external benefits to the public. Welfare checks are private goods, because if the funds go into one person's check the same funds can't also go into another person's check (rivalrous) and the checks can be sent to some people but not others (excludable). Food and clothing for prisoners or for military personnel are also private goods, though they're better categorized as components of the public goods of "functional criminal justice system" and "military protection".
- hugh3 16y ago
  So we appear to be in blurry-definitionland. Meals for prisoners are private goods which are part of the public good "functional criminal justice system". Welfare checks for unemployed bums are private goods which are part of the public good "no dead hobos on lawns".
  - lotharbot 16y ago
    "no dead hobos on lawns" is not a good, it's a service. Various goods might contribute to that service, such as "homeless shelters" and "welfare checks". I suppose "functional criminal justice system" is actually a service, as well, while "prison" is a good.
    - deleted 16y ago
      [deleted]
steamer25 16y ago
I would absolutely be in favor of prisoners (sentenced via due process) earning their own board. E.g., washing government vehicles, cleaning highways, hauling landscaping materials for erosion control projects at state parks, etc. etc.

by hugh3 16y ago

lotharbot 16y ago

One could argue that welfare benefits the public, but that is not the same as saying welfare checks are public goods. It's a technical term that doesn't say anything about the external benefits to the public. Welfare checks are private goods, because if the funds go into one person's check the same funds can't also go into another person's check (rivalrous) and the checks can be sent to some people but not others (excludable). Food and clothing for prisoners or for military personnel are also private goods, though they're better categorized as components of the public goods of "functional criminal justice system" and "military protection".

hugh3 16y ago
So we appear to be in blurry-definitionland. Meals for prisoners are private goods which are part of the public good "functional criminal justice system". Welfare checks for unemployed bums are private goods which are part of the public good "no dead hobos on lawns".
- lotharbot 16y ago
  "no dead hobos on lawns" is not a good, it's a service. Various goods might contribute to that service, such as "homeless shelters" and "welfare checks". I suppose "functional criminal justice system" is actually a service, as well, while "prison" is a good.
  - deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]

steamer25 16y ago

I would absolutely be in favor of prisoners (sentenced via due process) earning their own board. E.g., washing government vehicles, cleaning highways, hauling landscaping materials for erosion control projects at state parks, etc. etc.