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Social Discount Rate

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The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics
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Abstract

Economists use a social discount rate to evaluate future costs and benefits. To arrive at a suitable magnitude, market interest rates are adjusted for taxes, transactions costs, and risk. Over time the discount rate debate has become more complex. It is agreed that no single discount rate will apply to all choices, and that the proper discount rate will be context-dependent.

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Bibliography

  • Arrow, K. 1971. Essays in the theory of risk-bearing. Amsterdam: North-Holland.

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Cowen, T. (2018). Social Discount Rate. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2549

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