The government could also use regulation to enforce the consumption of a good provided by the private sector which is deemed to be a merit good by virtue of the positive externalities that it generates: the compulsory consumption of seat-belts by motorists provides one such example.
Possible government responses to the under-provision of merit goods. direct provision of goods and services. In practice, governments play a substantial role in the provision of merit goods such as health and education, even where they are ideologically committed, as the Republicans are, to market forces.
Subsidies may be used to increase the production and consumption of merit goods. For example, the theatre is usually provided by the private sector, and is often regarded as a merit good on account of the educative and civilising benefits that it confers on society.
The government may also use a range of regulations both to increase the consumption of merit goods and to ensure good quality provision.
Syllabus: Evaluate, using diagrams, the use of government responses including:
Subsidies may be used to increase the production and consumption of merit goods.