A major reason the quality of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) varies widely is inconsistent use of the social discount rate (SDR). This article offers guidance about the choice of the SDR. Namely, we recommend the following procedures: If the project is intragenerational (does not have effects...

In assessing existing or proposed public policies, analysts often need shadow price estimates for one or two key items - for example, the value of a human life, the cost of various types of injuries, the cost of a robbery or the value of an hour of travel time saved. This paper provides...

Some issues in the application of benefit–cost analysis (BCA) remain contentious. Although a strong conceptual case can be made for taking account of the marginal excess tax burden (METB) in conducting BCAs, it is usually excluded. Although a strong conceptual case can be made that BCA should...