Arbeitspapier
Coping with preference anomalies in cost-benefit analysis
Economics conventionally assumes that preferences are coherent, i.e. stable, context-independent, and consistent with axioms of rationality. Since these assumptions underpin standard interpretations of cost-benefit analysis (CBA), preference 'anomalies' found in stated preference surveys pose severe problems. This paper proposes an alternative interpretation of CBA as the simulation of the workings of competitive markets in situations in which, in reality, there is market failure. The object of a CBA of a project is to measure the surplus that is created by that project. It is shown that surplus can be defined without assuming that individuals have coherent preferences. Some of the ways in which this approach to CBA can overcome problems caused by preference anomalies are discussed.
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Series: CSERGE Working Paper EDM ; No. 03-03
- Classification
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Wirtschaft
- Subject
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anomalies
cost-benefit analysis
surplus
willingness to pay
Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse
Willingness to pay
Präferenztheorie
- Event
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Geistige Schöpfung
- (who)
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Sugden, Robert
- Event
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Veröffentlichung
- (who)
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University of East Anglia, The Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE)
- (where)
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Norwich
- (when)
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2003
- Handle
- Last update
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10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET
Data provider
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Object type
- Arbeitspapier
Associated
- Sugden, Robert
- University of East Anglia, The Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE)
Time of origin
- 2003