National defense is a good example of a pure public good because it is

Prepare for the AP Microeconomics exam on Market Failure and the Role of Government with detailed quizzes featuring multiple-choice questions, hints, and explanations. Master your understanding and ace the test!

Multiple Choice

National defense is a good example of a pure public good because it is

Explanation:
Public goods are nonrival in consumption and nonexcludable. Nonrival means protecting everyone in the country at the same time doesn’t reduce protection for anyone else. Nonexcludable means you can’t practically prevent people from benefiting, even if they don’t pay. National defense fits both properties, so it’s a pure public good. If a good were rival, one person’s use would reduce another’s; if it were excludable, providers could charge or exclude nonpayers. National defense therefore exemplifies a good that markets alone tend to underprovide, hence typically provided by the government.

Public goods are nonrival in consumption and nonexcludable. Nonrival means protecting everyone in the country at the same time doesn’t reduce protection for anyone else. Nonexcludable means you can’t practically prevent people from benefiting, even if they don’t pay. National defense fits both properties, so it’s a pure public good. If a good were rival, one person’s use would reduce another’s; if it were excludable, providers could charge or exclude nonpayers. National defense therefore exemplifies a good that markets alone tend to underprovide, hence typically provided by the government.

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