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The Use of Distributional Weights in Benefit–Cost Analysis: Insights from Welfare Economics

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  • Marc Fleurbaey
  • Rossi Abi-Rafeh
Abstract
This article examines how distributional weights can be introduced into benefit–cost analysis (BCA) by using insights from recent developments in welfare economics, in particular the theory of fair social allocation and happiness studies. We argue that it is easier than commonly believed to design weights that embody the Paretian and equity properties of a well-crafted social welfare function. However, the informational requirements for such weights suggest that it may be helpful to examine the potential for simpler weights (e.g., based on simple objective indexes of well-being) to provide reasonable approximations of ideal weights for use in BCA.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Fleurbaey & Rossi Abi-Rafeh, 2016. "The Use of Distributional Weights in Benefit–Cost Analysis: Insights from Welfare Economics," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 10(2), pages 286-307.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:renvpo:v:10:y:2016:i:2:p:286-307.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fleurbaey,Marc & Maniquet,François, 2011. "A Theory of Fairness and Social Welfare," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521715348, September.
    2. Matthew D. Adler, 2016. "Editor's Choice Benefit–Cost Analysis and Distributional Weights: An Overview," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 10(2), pages 264-285.
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    10. Daniel Fujiwara, 2013. "A General Method for Valuing Non-Market Goods Using Wellbeing Data: Three-Stage Wellbeing Valuation," CEP Discussion Papers dp1233, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    11. Fleurbaey, Marc & Blanchet, Didier, 2013. "Beyond GDP: Measuring Welfare and Assessing Sustainability," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199767199.
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    Cited by:

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    4. Dietrich Earnhart & Sarah Jacobson & Yusuke Kuwayama & Richard T. Woodward, 2023. "Discretionary Exemptions from Environmental Regulation: Flexibility for Good or for Ill," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 99(2), pages 203-221.
    5. Moritz A. Drupp & Ulrike Kornek & Jasper N. Meya & Lutz Sager, 2021. "Inequality and the Environment: The Economics of a Two-Headed Hydra," CESifo Working Paper Series 9447, CESifo.
    6. Hammitt, James K., 2022. "Prevention, Treatment, and Palliative Care: The Relative Value of Health Improvements under Alternative Evaluation Frameworks," TSE Working Papers 22-1339, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    7. Lisa A. Robinson & James K. Hammitt & Richard J. Zeckhauser, 2016. "Attention to Distribution in U.S. Regulatory Analyses," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 10(2), pages 308-328.
    8. Drupp, Moritz A. & Meya, Jasper N. & Baumgärtner, Stefan & Quaas, Martin F., 2017. "Economic inequality and the value of nature," Economics Working Papers 2017-08, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Department of Economics.
    9. Morello, Thiago & Anderson, Liana & Silva, Sonaira, 2022. "Innovative fire policy in the Amazon: A statistical Hicks-Kaldor analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
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    11. James K. Hammitt, 2022. "Prevention, treatment, and palliative care: The relative value of health improvements under alternative evaluation frameworks," Post-Print hal-03965174, HAL.
    12. Acland, Daniel & Greenberg, David H., 2023. "The Elasticity of Marginal Utility of Income for Distributional Weighting and Social Discounting: A Meta-Analysis," Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(2), pages 386-405, July.

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