Ways to Overcome the Public Goods Problem

Abstract

Although the overall picture presented in Chapter 1 is discouraging, the leader of a new country need not be intimidated. Experience with government and with the performance of privately organized activity under the protection of settled law and stable government provides several proven devices for channeling self interest to constructive ends. The analysis of untried mechanisms designed to mimic these devices suggests that there are additional ways to get this effect. Scholarly research on these mechanisms suggests that dramatic improvement is technically possible and that it is worthwhile to think seriously about practical rules and procedures designed to achieve better results. What the present study shows is that it can be done.

Envy is the basis of democracy.l