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Ethical Theories and the Cost--Benefit Analysis-Based Ex Ante Evaluation of Transport Policies and Plans

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  • Bert Van Wee
  • Sabine Roeser

Abstract

In the policy analysis community it is widely recognized that 'sound' policies meet three criteria: effectiveness, efficiency and equity. In most western countries, cost--benefit analysis (CBA) is currently the standard method to ex ante evaluate transport policy options. It scores high for effectiveness and efficiency, but generally ignores equity and other ethically important implications of policies. The CBA has its roots in the ethical theory of utilitarianism. However, both utilitarianism and CBA have faced many objections. We present alternative ethical theories, based on deontological theories and contractarianism. We discuss how these theories can inspire the ex ante evaluation of transport policy options. We argue that in order to come to a moral evaluation of transport policies we need a context-sensitive approach. According to such an approach, there is a plurality of morally relevant features that have to be balanced per situation. We argue that such a context-sensitive approach is more appropriate than a priori selecting one theory such as utilitarianism, as such a theory is not appropriate in all possibly relevant circumstances. Consequently, by being based on utilitarianism, CBA overlooks issues of justice, fairness, and autonomy that are morally relevant to an evaluation of transport policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Bert Van Wee & Sabine Roeser, 2013. "Ethical Theories and the Cost--Benefit Analysis-Based Ex Ante Evaluation of Transport Policies and Plans," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(6), pages 743-760, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:transr:v:33:y:2013:i:6:p:743-760
    DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2013.854281
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hausman,Daniel M. & McPherson,Michael S., 2006. "Economic Analysis, Moral Philosophy and Public Policy," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521608664, December.
    2. Bert van Wee, 2011. "Transport and Ethics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14281.
    3. Hausman,Daniel M. & McPherson,Michael S., 2006. "Economic Analysis, Moral Philosophy and Public Policy," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521846295, January.
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    Cited by:

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    9. Helen LaVan & Lori S. Cook & Ivana Zilic, 2021. "An analysis of the ethical frameworks and financial outcomes of corporate social responsibility and business press reporting of US pharmaceutical companies," International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(3), pages 326-355.
    10. Jafino, Bramka Arga, 2021. "An equity-based transport network criticality analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 204-221.
    11. Zhang, Mengzhu & Zhao, Pengjun, 2021. "Literature review on urban transport equity in transitional China: From empirical studies to universal knowledge," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    12. Karst T. Geurs & Tomaz Ponce Dentinho & Roberto Patuelli, 2016. "Accessibility, equity and efficiency," Chapters, in: Karst T. Geurs & Roberto Patuelli & Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (ed.), Accessibility, Equity and Efficiency, chapter 1, pages 3-8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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