Work

The Voluntary Provision of Public Goods? the Turnpike Companies of Early America

Year: 1990

Type: article

Abstract: The turnpike companies of early America (roughly 1795–1840) were very unprofitable but conferred vast benefits to communities served. Purchasing stock was like paying for the road since such purchases were necessary to complete the road and unprofitability was foreseen. Thus the turnpikes would appear to have been public goods. Yet hundreds of turnpikes were provided through voluntary association. The free rider problem was overcome by an almost vigilant impulse to participate and to see that your neighbor did likewise.

Source: Economic Inquiry

DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7295.1990.tb00832.x

Author: DANIEL B. KLEIN

Institutions: George Mason University, University of California, Irvine

Language: English

Topic: Historical Economic and Social Studies

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Transportation, California Department of Transportation, Princeton University, University of Cambridge, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Irvine, University of California Transportation Center

OpenAlex ID: W2167516483

FWCI: 5.276

Cites: 34

Cited by: 144

Related to: 10