Blog
The cost of streetlighting
10th December 2008
Ask any student to give an example of a public good and the default answer seems to be “streelighting” - I will pass on whether streetlighting for urban roads and motorways meets precisely all of the defining characteristics of a public good (it surely comes close!) - but this BBC online magazine article provides an interesting follow up question for students - how much does it cost to provide such services on a daily basis. Perhaps a good example to use when discussing the costs and benefits of providing public goods?
Geoff Riley
Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD conferences in the UK and overseas.