Regional public goods and international organizations

Abstract

This article focuses on the provision prognosis for regional public goods (RPGs) and the role of international organizations in fostering supply in developing countries. All three properties of publicness-i.e., nonrivalry of benefits, nonexcludability of nonpayers, and the aggregation technology-play a role in this prognosis. The paper highlights many provision impediments, not faced by national or global public goods. When intervention is necessary, the analysis distinguishes the role of global, regional, and other institutional arrangements (e.g., networks and public-private partnerships). The pros and cons of subsidiarity are addressed.

Keywords: aggregation technology; collective action; developing countries; global public goods; networks; regional public goods; subsidiarity.