Ron believes that the government should be operated by private enterprise (like Chuck E. Cheese) that uses a token system to participate, like taking a walk, going down a slide, or seeing a duck. This would take a previously nonexclusive good and turn it into one that must be purchased to be consumed.
See more: capitalism, common resources, exclusivity, private goods, profit maximization, public goods, types of goods
In an effort to get Sweet-ums out of Pawnee Parks, Leslie and Ann hold a town hall meeting. Both Leslie and Ron try to frame their questions to get citizens to vote their way.
See more: behavioral, framing, private incentives, rent seeking, voting
Ron describes his promotion to manager of a sheet metal factory at the age of 9, but regrets that child labor laws are now ruining this country. Child labor laws a good example of decreasing in supply of labor for the early 1900s and a service as a good discussion on the role of government.
See more: child labor, efficiency, equity, externalities, labor, minimum wage, regulation, safety regulations, social costs, supply shifts, sweatshops
The government often provides services for public goods and common goods when the private market isn’t ready to accept that responsibility. Because Ron is a big believe in free markets, he isn’t happy that federal money is being spent on providing common resources for the community. He believes that the best kind of park would be one ran by Chuck E. Cheese.
See more: common resources, excludability, federal budget, free rider problem, government, government programs, government spending, rivalry, role of government, types of goods
Ron believes that governments are a waste of taxpayer money and should be run more like private (for-profit) companies. Later he suggests that parks could operate on a token system so that anyone wanting to use the park would need to pay for their use.
See more: common resources, exclusivity, government, private goods, profit maximization, public goods, rivalry, role of government, types of goods
Most firms want workers who are hard working and dedicated, but Ron believes Tom is the best government employee because he doesn’t have those qualities. Tom’s ability to shirk would probably get him fired in most companies, but Ron sees things a bit differently.
See more: government, incentives, principle agent problem, private incentives, shirking, social incentives
Ron and Leslie meet for lunch to settle a bet, but not before Ron extolls the virtues of capitalism and competition in the free market. Leslie, of course, disagrees on the role of government because she recognizes that not all services can be provided private enterprise.
See more: capitalism, competition, externalities, free market, government, public economics, public goods, role of government
While Leslie Knope is running for city council, the Parks Department needs to get a lot of vans to help people get to the polls. A local van rental company realizes they have a monopoly over the market for these white vans and this recent surge in demand has given them the opportunity to capitalize.
See more: bargaining power, bidding war, demand, demand shifts, imperfect competition, market power, monopoly, rent seeking, supply
Economics of Parks & Recreation 