Free riding, contribution behavior, and public goods: the case of the Virginia nongame wildlife tax checkoff

Abstract

This study examines the free rider effect and other voluntary contribution behavior in an actual public goods funding situation. Because the traditional neoclassical economic model of consumption behavior does not adequately explain behavior with respect to voluntary contribution to the funding of public goods. A model is developed that expands upon the traditional model and which incorporates several aspects of behavior.

These aspects include strategic behavior such as strong and weak free riding, non-voting, and protest voting, as well as utility received from contributing.