Categories of Goods: Rivalry and Excludability

Image created in June 2014.

Comments written in August 2014.

Edited in December 2014.

ENSURE COMMON CONTROL OF RIVALROUS, NON-EXCLUDABLE GOODS.

In order to ensure the widest possible distribution of the basic elements of nature and of life to all, we must revive the Commons. We must ensure common, shared, and fair and equal access to the basic elements of nature (land, water, and air) and the creatures and environmental processes which fuel and are fueled by them (wild game, fishing, irrigation, agriculture and pastures, forestry and timber, and mineral resources). The Commons and the people must not exclude anyone from accessing these resources, and the Commons should be free to punish those who attempt to exclude others from them.

ENSURE PRIVATE CONTROL OF RIVALROUS, EXCLUDABLE GOODS.

In order to ensure the widest possible distribution of personally possessed tradeable goods, we must perfect the Private Sector. We must perfect and complete the Private system of market-oriented distribution, in order to leave markets for finished capital goods which are possessed personally (food, clothing, cars, gasoline, newspapers, and electronics). We must ensure that these goods are treated as personal possessions, and never re-appropriated or confiscated on the false premise that they are private property in the means of production.

ENSURE CLUB CONTROL OF NON-RIVALROUS, EXCLUDABLE GOODS.

In order to ensure the widest possible distribution of goods obtained by groups through compensated access, we must perfect the Club Sector. We must ensure that pay websites exist alongside the open internet, and that pay-per-view cable and satellite television exist alongside broadcast networks. Cinemas are to be treated as club goods. Social services and parks are to be treated as Club goods, rather than Public goods. Clubs must be free to set reasonable membership and use fees, and free to exclude and penalize attempts to free-ride.

ENSURE PURE PUBLIC CONTROL OF NON-RIVALROUS, NON-EXCLUDABLE GOODS.

In order to ensure the widest possible distribution of goods obtained by groups, we must perfect and purify the Public Sector. We must ensure that the open-access, peer-to-peer internet does not become subsumed by for-pay websites, and likewise that pay-per-view television does not take over all television broadcasting. Radio, broadcast television, and the open internet should be regulated in an open and transparent manner - by a government of, by, and for the people. - and provided voluntarily through charitable giving and labor. The same goes for national defense, and operation of lighthouses and street lights. The Public Sector must not attempt to exclude anyone from accessing these resources, and remain free to punish anyone who attempts to exclude others from them.

Thanks to Peter Bjorn Hansen for his assistance.