Dr Eric Crampton: If you want to believe

There’s a weird art to commissioned cost-benefit assessments. Even when it seems like a report’s funder really wanted a particular result and even if the final number seems absurd, the report can still be valuable.

It can make clear just what you have to believe if you want to believe that an implausible project is worthwhile.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 15/4/24

Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycling will be riled)

A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements.

The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets.