Free rider
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jaques (talk | contribs) at 06:40, April 13, 2007. It may differ significantly from current revision.
A free rider is someone who seeks a benefit without paying or working for it, on the assumption that others will endure the trouble or expense. For example, many choose not to vote on the assumption that others will take the trouble to vote in order to ensure a desirable outcome.
The free-rider problem is often cited in economics as justification for taxes in order to compel most people to share the costs for public goods such as national defense or public education.