Final answer:
A nonprofit may find a $20,000 cost for producing an advocacy game inexpensive if they anticipate a high return on investment. The expenditure is considered as an investment similar to individual actors potentially spending large sums to lobby for or against legislation that impacts them greatly.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nonprofit organization may consider a manufacturing cost of $20,000 for an advocacy game inexpensive due to several reasons. However, the most relevant reason is that they anticipate a high return on investment through the increased awareness and support the game could generate. This is comparable to the collective action problem where individuals may not find it worth the personal effort to lobby for a public good due to the disproportionate cost and benefit structure, as highlighted in the provided information. However, since the nonprofit stands to gain significantly in terms of advocacy goals, the cost may be justified if it effectively reaches and influences a large audience.
For instance, using the analogy provided in the reference information, if two factory owners stand to lose $1 million each due to a proposed tax, they might rationally invest substantial amounts to lobby against it. Similarly, the nonprofit may assess the $20,000 cost as an investment towards a larger goal of providing public goods, such as environmental protection or human rights, rather than being a mere expenditure.