why is cost-benefit analysis considered a utilitarian model of evaluation
Cost -- benefit analysis is often used by organizations to appraise the desirability of a given policy. It is an analysis of the expected balance of benefits and costs, including an account of foregone alternatives and the status quo. CBA helps predict whether the benefits of a policy outweigh its costs, and by how much relative to other alternatives, so that one can rank alternate policies in terms of the cost -- benefit ratio. Generally, accurate cost -- benefit analysis identifies choices that increase welfare from a utilitarian perspective. Assuming an accurate CBA, changing the status quo by implementing the alternative with the lowest cost -- benefit ratio can improve Pareto efficiency. While CBA can offer a well-educated estimate of the best alternative -- perfect appraisal of all present and future costs and benefits is difficult --, perfection in terms of economic efficiency and social welfare are not guaranteed.