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Teaching Economics

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The cost of streetlighting

Geoff Riley

10th December 2008

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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?

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Geoff Riley

Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for nearly forty 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 and Revision conferences in the UK and overseas.

@tutor2uGeoff

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