Question

Even economists who advocate small government agree that A. national defense is a public good, but many of them believe that it should be provided by private firms rather than by the government. B. national defense is a public good and that the government should provide it.

Answer 1

B is likely the correct answer.

There are very few economists who advocate for the privatization of the military as the privatization of military has interesting efficiency and national security concerns. (Militaries in the hands of CEOs...)

Instead, many economists see the military as an example of the government providing for the protection of the collective common good and that it is most efficient and necessary for the government to provide this service.