Non-rivalrous, non-excludable: an interdisciplinary workshop on the evolution of public goods in history

This workshop explores the evolution of public goods and the factors influencing their provision. Economists have defined public goods as resources whose consumption by one individual does not diminish their availability to others, while also being accessible to all, regardless of their contribution to provision. However, the traditional lens often falls short in explaining how societies cooperate to provide public goods, a topic of increasing relevance in the face of contemporary challenges in public health and environmental sustainability. These issues highlight the urgency of understanding the provision of non-market public goods. This workshop will look at how public goods provision is shaped by institutions and norms over time. By synthesizing insights from economics, history, law, and other disciplines, we aim to uncover the factors that have historically shaped public goods provision.