Government at a Glance provides readers with a dashboard of key public sector indicators. Each indicator is presented in a user-friendly format, with graphs, brief descriptive analysis, and methodological information.

A revised edition of PS-14, "An Introduction to Benefit-Cost Analysis for Evaluating Public Programs," presents concepts and techniques of benefit-cost analysis as tools that can be used to assist in deciding between alternatives. The goals of the new edition include teaching students to think about the possible benefits and costs of each alternative; to define what they foresee as program outputs and to consider possible undesirable consequences; and to recognize the trade-offs that are implicit in all decisions. Topics of the eight modules (16 exercises) include the following: classifying direct vs. indirect benefits, as well as tangibles vs. intangibles; pecuniary or price effects; the business model of benefit-costs analysis; business as a model for government decisions; supply and demand in the market for goods; challenges for valuation presented by government programs; the comparison of costs and benefits that occur at different times; shadow pricing; double-counting, and benefits valued as net savings. Everyday examples are used to present what are frequently difficult concepts and relationships for the student with little background in economics. A sample student evaluation form is appended. (Author/SW)

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.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been continuously undertaking measures to enhance the effectiveness of its operations. To improve projects both at the preparation and implementation stages, ADB issued the Guidelines for Economic Analysis of Projects in 1997 as a means to enhancing project quality at entry. The conduct of proper economic analysis helps ensure the efficient use of development funds and public resources and thereby increase aid effectiveness. This practical guide is a supplement to the Guidelines for the Economic Analysis of Projects. It provides an overview of recent methodological developments in cost-benefit analysis as well as suggested improvements in the economic analysis of projects in selected sectors through case studies. These case studies illustrate the application of suggested methodologies, taking into account sector-specific needs, as well as difficulties faced by practitioners in terms of data and time constraints during project processing. It also aims to contribute to ADB’s capacity building initiatives as this will be the main reference material for conduct of economic analysis.

This primer highlights both the strengths and the limitations of benefit-cost analysis in the development, design, and implementation of regulatory reform.