The Cost-Benefit State: The Future of Regulatory Protection

by Cass R. Sunstein

This book discusses the current topic of Federal Government regulations increasingly assessed by asking whether the benefits of the regulation justifies the cost of the regulation.

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2002

About the author

Cass R. Sunstein is an American legal scholar, particularly in the fields of constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, and law and behavioral economics, who currently is the Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Obama administration. For 27 years, Sunstein taught at the University of Chicago Law School, where he continues to teach as the Harry Kalven Visiting Professor. Sunstein is currently Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, where he is on leave while working in the Obama administration.

Reviews

[Sandeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every liberal should read this concise but persuasive defense of cost-benefit analysis. Despite conservative support for its use, cost-benefit analysis often strengthens the case for progressive regulation. Moreover, application of CBA can increase the transparency of the opaque administrative rule-making process.