free-riding
Benefiting without contributing
Free-riding is benefiting from a collective resource or effort without contributing to it.
The classic example is someone who enjoys public radio without donating, relying on others to fund what they consume.
In economics and politics, free-riding describes the problem of people letting others bear costs while sharing in gains: The bill failed because too many legislators were free-riding on others' political courage.
A free rider is one who does this.
Reduced exertion in groups
- shirkingAvoiding obligatory tasks
- slackingAvoiding effort deliberately
- coastingMoving without active effort
- freeloadingExploiting others' generosity
team dynamics · accountability · peer pressure · deadweight · disengagement · dispensability · monitoring · fairness
Shared, non-excludable resources
- externalityUncompensated effect on others
- market failureInefficient resource distribution
- collective actionOrganized group pursuit
- tragedy of the commonsShared resources ruined by self-interest
government intervention · taxation · subsidy · regulation · crowding out · underproduction · cost-sharing · cost-benefit
Strategic game theory scenario
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- incentivesRewards prompting action
- rational choiceLogically optimal decision
mutual benefit · coordination · tit-for-tat · punishment · reciprocity · social norms · enforcement · cheating
Creating technical blueprints
- slipstreamAerodynamic wake zone
- pelotonMain cycling group
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
- tailgatingFollowing another vehicle unsafely
aerodynamics · pacing · breakaway · paceline · lead-out · energy conservation · racing · Tour de France
social loafing
Reduced exertion in groups
- shirkingAvoiding obligatory tasks
- slackingAvoiding effort deliberately
- coastingMoving without active effort
freeloading · team dynamics · accountability · peer pressure · deadweight · disengagement · dispensability · monitoring · fairness · resentment
public goods
Shared, non-excludable resources
- externalityUncompensated effect on others
- market failureInefficient resource distribution
- collective actionOrganized group pursuit
tragedy of the commons · government intervention · taxation · subsidy · regulation · crowding out · underproduction · cost-sharing · cost-benefit · spillover
prisoner's dilemma
Strategic game theory scenario
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- incentivesRewards prompting action
rational choice · mutual benefit · coordination · tit-for-tat · punishment · reciprocity · social norms · enforcement · cheating · exploitation
drafting
Creating technical blueprints
- slipstreamAerodynamic wake zone
- pelotonMain cycling group
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
tailgating · aerodynamics · pacing · breakaway · paceline · lead-out · energy conservation · racing · Tour de France · domestique
free-ridingcontributing
Giving to a cause
pulling one's weight · chipping in · pitching in · reciprocating · giving back
free-ridingcivic duty
Obligation owed to community
community service · mutual obligation · altruism · conscientiousness · stewardship
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