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Cost-Benefit Analysis, Incommensurability and Rough Equality1

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  • Jonathan Aldred

Abstract

A recurring question about cost-benefit analysis (CBA) concerns its scope. CBA is a decision-making method frequently employed in environmental policy-making, in which things which have no market price are treated as if they were commodities. They are given a monetary value, a form of price. But it is widely held that some things cannot be meaningfully priced, thus substantially limiting the scope of CBA. The aim of this paper is to test some aspects of this broad claim, focusing on problems of incomparability and incommensurability. In particular, the role of rough equality as a putative form of comparison is investigated. I argue that while an assessment of the full significance of rough equality for practical decision-making awaits resolution of a number of important technical questions, it does not provide a strong enough form of comparison to support CBA.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Aldred, 2002. "Cost-Benefit Analysis, Incommensurability and Rough Equality1," Environmental Values, , vol. 11(1), pages 27-46, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:11:y:2002:i:1:p:27-46
    DOI: 10.1177/096327190201100103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Layard,Richard & Glaister,Stephen (ed.), 1994. "Cost-Benefit Analysis," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521466745, November.
    2. Dorman,Peter, 2009. "Markets and Mortality," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521123044, November.
    3. Broome,John, 1999. "Ethics out of Economics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521644914, November.
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