A few years ago, dockless bike-sharing was the global rage. In Singapore, companies like oBike, Mobike, and oFo flooded the streets. But alongside the convenience came a massive problem: bicycles were strewn across grass patches, blocking pedestrian pathways, clogging canals, and cluttering bus stops. It was awful for pedestrians—but it created the absolute perfect real-world case study for Economics students. …

It is one of the most common mistakes made by economics students: assuming that because a good has the word “public” in its name, it must be a “Public Good.” In that Straits Times commentary, the journalist wrote that public housing in Singapore must be treated as a “public good.” While she was making a valid social point for the …