Preference revelation
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In public choice theory, preference revelation (also preference revelation problem) is an area of study concerned with ascertaining the public's demand for public goods.[http://swbplus.bsz-bw.de/bsz285734164kap.pdf Public Choice: An Introduction]{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1475-4932.1979.tb02209.x | volume=55 | issue=2 | title=The Free-Rider Problem: A Survey | year=1979 | journal=Economic Record | pages=95–107 | last1 = John | first1 = McMillan}} According to some economists, if government planners do not have "full knowledge of individual preference functions",[https://books.google.com/books?id=sGr9jjXdyNgC&dq=%22preference+revelation%22+optimal+provision&pg=PA23 Public Goods and Multi-Level Government] then it is likely that public goods will be under- or over-supplied.Kennett, Patricia (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SLRFLlIrqLsC&dq=Nevertheless%2C+the+classic+solution+to+the+problem+of+underprovision+of+public+goods+has+been+government+funding&pg=PA28 Governance, globalization and public policy]. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 28. {{ISBN|978-1845424367}}{{Cite web |url=http://sobek.colorado.edu/~mciverj/Ostrom-PG%26PC.PDF |title=Public Goods and Public Choices |access-date=2005-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050520201711/http://sobek.colorado.edu/~mciverj/Ostrom-PG%26PC.PDF |archive-date=2005-05-20 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.ctf.ca/ctfweb/Documents/PDF/1997ctj/1997CTJ1_Bird.pdf User Charges for Public Services: Potentials and Problems][https://books.google.com/books?id=mHLtRkmFV5AC&dq=%22preference+revelation%22+optimal+provision&pg=PA137 Ethical Dimensions of the Economy]
When there is no market to induce people to reveal their subjective valuations, economists say that there is a “problem of preference revelation.” When perfect compensation is possible in principle, it may be impossible in fact because of the problem of preference revelation
Overview
Unlike private goods, public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous.[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4XxbYM8UMtwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA63&dq=samuelson+preference+revelation&ots=6MOaOgtG0F&sig=d_h_e_chvtGOHpEFM51aAVEn7VU#v=onepage&q=samuelson%20preference%20revelation&f=true Providing Global Public Goods] This means that it is possible for people to benefit from a public good without having to help contribute to its production.[https://books.google.com/books?id=YUVMr-aFYwYC&dq=willing+to+pay+public+goods&pg=PA458 The Encyclopedia of Public Choice, Volume 2] Given that information about marginal benefits is available only from the individuals themselves, people have an incentive to under report their valuation for public goods.[http://bbs.cenet.org.cn/UploadImages/200642020355785817.pdf Multipart pricing of public goods] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203060435/http://bbs.cenet.org.cn/UploadImages/200642020355785817.pdf |date=2013-12-03 }}{{cite journal| doi=10.1016/0047-2727(86)90063-0 | volume=31 | issue=3 | title=Strategic bias and demand for public goods | year=1986 | journal=Journal of Public Economics | pages=307–327 | last1 = Throsby | first1 = C.D. | last2 = Withers | first2 = Glenn A.}}