Public vs

private goods
Answering paper 1 essay questions (a and b)
 01
Definitions
E.g
A public good:
- Non-excludable: consumers can’t be excluded from using the product.
- Non-rival: if one person uses a public good, it does not reduce its
availability for others to use.

A private good:

- Excludable: the owners of the good can prevent others from consuming it.
- Rival: when a
consumer consumes a private good, they diminish the available quantity of
that good to other consumers.
 02
Example analysis +
E.g:
Diagram
Question a)

The Aral Sea was largest inland bodies. However in the mid-20th Century it
started to deplete, due to a non-sustainable way of managing the water practices.

Without effective government regulation, the use of water for agriculture, led to
significant reduction in the inflow of the water. Which resulted, in the splitting
into smaller, disconnected water bodies. The decline in water levels had severe
environmental and socio-economic consequences, including the exposure of
seabed, increased salinity, and the collapse of the local fishing industry.

However, later with government intervention and international organizations, they

implemented measures to improve water management, rehabilitate irrigation
systems, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
 02
Example analysis +
Diagram
Question b)
E.g: Elafonisi beach in Crete, Greece, it is illegal to take the iconic pink sand
from the beach
“Due to the great environmental value of Elafonisi, you should be aware of the
following basic rules to protect local nature:
– Taking sand is strictly forbidden.”

E.g.: Fewer planes and helicopters are now flying tourists over Mount Rushmore
and other national monuments and parks as new regulations have taken effect that
are intended to protect the serenity of some of the most beloved natural areas in
the United States.
 Command terms
Explain
To provide a detailed account of
something, including reasons or
causes where appropriate
(a) Explain why public access resources e.g. fishing
grounds might become depleted without government
intervention. [10 marks]
Evaluate
To make an assessment by
weighing up the strengths and
limitations of something.
(b) Using real-world examples, evaluate
the argument that public access resources
are best served by direct government
intervention. [15 marks]
You finished
your essays !