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What goods and services are best provided by the public sector and which are best provided by the private sector?

Abbreviated Question: 
What goods and services are best provided by the public sector and which are best provided by the private sector?
Answer: 

Economists distinguish broadly among three types of goods along the private to public continuum. Purely private goods are purchased and used by individuals and families. Another way of explaining a private good is to say that my use (or consumption, in economist language) excludes your ability to consume the same good. Food is the best understood example. Food is eaten by one person. A family may purchase and cook for the family and their friends. People may share food with friends or with needy families through food banks, but only one person can eat a particular serving of food.