Cost-benefit analysis according to Sen: An application in the evaluation of transport infrastructures in France

Made compulsory in France for major transport infrastructures, cost-benefit analysis is constantly being improved to achieve the best socio-economic evaluation possible. According to the philosopher and economist Amartya Sen, this analysis should meet two requirements: one ethical, the other democratic. We will examine the evaluation procedure in France and highlight the gap between its officially more democratic character and its still insufficiently ethical character, from the viewpoint of this dual requirement.

► We study the cost-benefit analysis in evaluations of transport infrastructures. ► Following Sen’s analysis, we underline the lack of the democratic and ethical character in evaluations. ► These lacks are illustrated with the example of twohigh speed rail lines. ► We suggest that the Senian concepts of capabilities and democracy could improve the method of evaluation. ► The Senian concepts are likely to help cost-benefit analysis to acquire a new legitimacy.