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Market simulation and the provision of public goods: A non-paternalistic response to anomalies in environmental evaluation

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  • Sugden, Robert

Abstract

Most normative economics assumes that individuals have coherent preferences. This paper responds to growing evidence of failures of this assumption, particularly in the context of stated-preference methods widely used in environmental policy analysis. It proposes a non-paternalistic concept of consumer sovereignty that does not assume preference coherence, is satisfied by competitive markets, and can be applied to the provision of public goods. A key implication is that decisions should reflect valuations revealed 'at the point of consumption'. Such valuations, which can be inferred from hedonic prices, may be less susceptible to willingness-to-accept (WTA)/willingness-to-pay (WTP) disparities than those elicited by stated-preference methods.

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  • Sugden, Robert, 2009. "Market simulation and the provision of public goods: A non-paternalistic response to anomalies in environmental evaluation," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(1), pages 87-103, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:57:y:2009:i:1:p:87-103
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    3. Marette Stéphan & Roosen Jutta & Blanchemanche Sandrine, 2011. "The Combination of Lab and Field Experiments for Benefit-Cost Analysis," Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, De Gruyter, vol. 2(3), pages 1-36, August.
    4. Schubert, Christian, 2015. "Opportunity And Preference Learning," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 31(2), pages 275-295, July.
    5. Christian Schubert & Andreas Chai, 2012. "Sustainable Consumption and Consumer Sovereignty," Papers on Economics and Evolution 2012-14, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    6. Elisabeth Gsottbauer & Jeroen Bergh, 2011. "Environmental Policy Theory Given Bounded Rationality and Other-regarding Preferences," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 49(2), pages 263-304, June.
    7. Lisa A. Robinson & James K. Hammitt, 2013. "Behavioral economics and the conduct of benefit–cost analysis: towards principles and standards," Chapters, in: Scott O. Farrow & Richard Zerbe, Jr. (ed.), Principles and Standards for Benefit–Cost Analysis, chapter 10, pages 317-363, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Norwood, F. Bailey & Lusk, Jayson L., 2011. "A calibrated auction-conjoint valuation method: Valuing pork and eggs produced under differing animal welfare conditions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 80-94, July.
    9. Ben McQuillin & Robert Sugden, 2012. "Reconciling normative and behavioural economics: the problems to be solved," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 38(4), pages 553-567, April.
    10. Parkhurst, Gregory M. & Nowell, Clifford, 2014. "The Role of Confidence in Truthful Revelation of Private Values," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 43(2), pages 1-16, August.
    11. Aronsson, Thomas & Johansson-Stenman, Olof, 2011. "Animal Welfare and Social Decisions," Working Papers in Economics 485, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    12. Hana Švejdarová & Eva Cudlínová, 2013. "Economic Value of Cultural Landscape, Non-Production Services of a Territory, and Non-Market Valuation Methods. A Survey Focused on Determining which Landscape Functions are Valuated Most Frequently a," Acta Oeconomica Pragensia, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2013(5), pages 64-81.
    13. Glenn W. Harrison, 2019. "The behavioral welfare economics of insurance," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 44(2), pages 137-175, September.
    14. Per-Olov Johansson & Bengt Kriström (ed.), 2011. "Modern Cost–Benefit Analysis of Hydropower Conflicts," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14253.

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