There are occasions when common goods are also considered as public goods, but it is important to comprehend their dissimilar definition.
Public goods are somewhat like “private goods” however, they are provided by the government for all individuals to enjoy and benefit from. Private goods are by and large traded in markets through a price mechanism where the ownership of a good or service is transferred and its benefits tend to be exclusive to the owner’s consumption. Public goods are non-excludable and non-rival in consumption. Once a public good is accomplished, they are there for all to enjoy without private actors having to contribute to its production. Benefits from public goods stretches across country boarders, generations and population groups. Some examples of public goods are postal services, national defence, telecommunications, and on a smaller scale; street signs and traffic lights.
The term common good is a concept established more than two thousand years ago. It refers to objects and conditions that functions in a manner to benefit all members in a given community. It is something that is equally available, shared and satisfying to all. A society’s common good is something which all members have access and such enjoyment of the good shall not be excluded from any individual; regardless of their status. They are conditions that are equal to everyone’s advantage. Some examples include accessible and affordable public health care organisations, public society and security, legal and political systems, thriving economic system and an uncontaminated natural environment.
In regards to economics, a common good is something that positively impacts a society’s living condition; such as renewable resources. One great example of a renewable resource is water. In order for a society to benefit from such resources, all members must make the effort to cooperate. They must preserve the resources by consuming it efficiently and using it in a controlled manner so that it maintains an adequate level of availability. Such goods are available for groups and individual members of the community to readily access the benefits and fulfil their satisfaction. Common goods will vary from one given community to another. It is concerned with the type of society one wants to become and it is a way to further their common goals.
The inconsistency of opinions and ideas that comprises in a given society is a problem for common goods. Every human being has their own idea about what constitutes to a ‘good lifestyle’. Agreeing on society values is unattainable, and even if an agreement could be reached there will be disputes on the relative values things may have on varying social groups. Due to the large range of personalities, beliefs, lifestyles, tradition, culture and values it is not easy to convince someone to forgo their self interest for the basis of a common good.
The only way to reach an agreement is to take the total sum of all the private interests of each member of a community; therefore the greatest possible good will be attained for the greatest number of people. Many declare that the endorsement of common good is the aspiration in democracy and socialism. Common goods are available to everyone; including those individuals who do not contribute to the maintenance of the good this is known as the “free-rider” problem.
The only way to reach an agreement is to take the total sum of all the private interests of each member of a community; therefore the greatest possible good will be attained for the greatest number of people. Many declare that the endorsement of common good is the aspiration in democracy and socialism. Common goods are available to everyone; including those individuals who do not contribute to the maintenance of the good this is known as the “free-rider” problem.
References:
The Common Good. Santa Clara. Santa Clara University. 1992
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/commongood.html
(Article appeared originally in Issues in Ethics V5 N2 (Spring 1992))
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