Project evaluation with democratic decision-making: What does cost–benefit analysis really measure?

B-Tier
Journal: Ecological Economics
Year: 2014
Volume: 106
Issue: C
Pages: 124-131

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

It is often argued that projects involving public good changes should be chosen on the basis of monetary valuation and cost–benefit analysis (CBA). However, CBA is not value-free. When used to measure welfare, it is based on highly controversial value judgements. When used to measure efficiency, it is based on assumptions of limited relevance to democratic decision-making processes. CBA measures total net willingness to pay, neither more nor less. While interesting in its own right, the normative significance of this indicator is not obvious.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecolec:v:106:y:2014:i:c:p:124-131
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26