ickemarknadsvaror

Ickemarknadsvaror, or non-market goods, is a term used in economics and public policy to describe goods or services that are not allocated through market prices. These goods typically lack a price signal and may be difficult to buy or sell privately. In many contexts the concept is closely related to public goods and other resources where the market either cannot efficiently allocate access or does not provide the good at all without government or non-market intervention.

Common examples include environmental quality (such as clean air and water), biodiversity, climate regulation, public safety, national defense, and certain cultural or knowledge assets. Many non-market goods are non-excludable or non-rival to some degree, which can lead to under-provision in a purely market-based system due to free-rider problems or externalities. Non-market considerations also arise in areas like health, education, and basic research, where social benefits may exceed private willingness to pay.

Valuing non-market goods poses methodological challenges. Analysts use approaches such as contingent valuation, choice experiments, the travel-cost method, and estimates of avoided damages or production costs to approximate social benefits. These valuations feed into cost-benefit analyses and policy evaluations to inform decisions about public provision, regulation, or subsidies. The study of ickemarknadsvaror helps explain why markets alone may not achieve optimal outcomes and why public institutions play a critical role in their provision and protection.