A cost-benefit analysis seeks to map the burden and the bonus of a decision-making, whether in the private or public sphere.
Public officials are constantly faced with making choices that impact the lives of citizens. This happens every time they need to choose a public policy.
Public policy is always a matter of choice. Resources are scarce and the public agent must make the best possible choice, that choice that will <u>maximize social benefit</u>.
In this way, a cost-benefit analysis should take into account:
- The economic viability of the project
- The reach, that is, how many people will benefit
- Compare with other possible choices
<u>The best choice will be the one that serves the largest number of people at the lowest possible cost.
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Thus, alternative (B) is correct.