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ABSTRACTION: Simplifying the complexities of the real world by ignoring (hopefully) unimportant details while doing economic analysis. Abstraction is often criticized because it's, well, it's JUST NOT REALISTIC. However, when done correctly (ignoring things that JUST DON'T MATTER), then the pursuit of knowledge is greatly enhanced by abstraction. For example, when travelling cross country along a high-speed interstate highway, a paper road map is a handy tool. It shows towns and cities along the way, the major intersections, rest stop locations, and other important points of interest. However, it ignores unimportant details. It doesn't realistically show the location of every tree, bush, or blade of grass. Why bother? This information won't enhance your road trip.
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FREE-RIDER PROBLEM A problem underlying the provision of public goods that occurs when a person consumes or benefits from a good without making payment. The free-rider problem is the primary reason that public goods are produced by governments. Because public goods are characterized by the inability to exclude nonpayers, once a public good is produced anyone, everyone, can consume without making payment, that is, get a "free ride." Voluntary payments like those occurring in markets will not provide enough revenue to pay production costs. The only way to finance public goods is to force free-riders, and everyone else, to pay through government taxes. The free-rider problem also applies to common-property goods.
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GRAY SKITTERY
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time flipping through mail order catalogs looking to buy either a wall poster commemorating yesterday or pink cotton balls. Be on the lookout for the last item on a shelf.
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This isn't me! What am I?
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Rosemary, long associated with remembrance, was worn as wreaths by students in ancient Greece during exams.
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"No amount of business school training or work experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of personal character. " -- Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A Inc. founder
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EER
European Economic Review
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