Beyond Bentham - measuring procedural utility

Bruno S. Frey, Alois Stutzer
2001
We propose that outcome utility and process utility can be distinguished and empirically measured. People gain procedural utility from participating in the political decision-making process itself, irrespective of the outcome. Nationals enjoy both outcome and process utility, while foreigners are excluded from political decision-making and therefore cannot enjoy the corresponding procedural utility. Utility is measured by individuals' reported subjective well-being or happiness. We find that
more » ... ticipation rights provide more procedural utility in terms of a feeling of self-determination and influence than actual participation.
doi:10.3929/ethz-a-004373713 fatcat:sjdtzdy2d5bn3jnjbzjibtge2u