Viranomaishyödyke

Viranomaishyödyke, often translated as "official good" or "public good," is a concept used in economics and public administration to describe goods or services that are provided or regulated by the state or other public authorities, even if they could theoretically be provided by the private sector. The justification for their provision as official goods often lies in their perceived importance for public welfare, safety, or the proper functioning of society.

The term encompasses a broad range of items and services. Examples can include public health services, such as vaccination programs or disease surveillance, and regulatory services like food safety inspections or building code enforcement. Essential infrastructure, like national defense or the justice system, are also often considered in this category, as their benefits are widely shared and difficult to exclude individuals from.

The provision of viranomaishyödyke can take various forms. It might involve direct state production and delivery of the good or service, or it could involve regulation, licensing, and oversight of private providers. Funding typically comes from taxation, as it is often challenging to charge individual users for these goods due to their collective or non-excludable nature. The core idea is that the state intervenes to ensure the availability and quality of these essential elements that contribute to the common good.