Why Nudge?: The Politics of Libertarian PaternalismBased on a series of pathbreaking lectures given at Yale University in 2012, this powerful, thought-provoking work by national best-selling author Cass R. Sunstein combines legal theory with behavioral economics to make a fresh argument about the legitimate scope of government, bearing on obesity, smoking, distracted driving, health care, food safety, and other highly volatile, high-profile public issues. Behavioral economists have established that people often make decisions that run counter to their best interests—producing what Sunstein describes as “behavioral market failures.” Sometimes we disregard the long term; sometimes we are unrealistically optimistic; sometimes we do not see what is in front of us. With this evidence in mind, Sunstein argues for a new form of paternalism, one that protects people against serious errors but also recognizes the risk of government overreaching and usually preserves freedom of choice. Against those who reject paternalism of any kind, Sunstein shows that “choice architecture”—government- |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
occasions for Paternalism | 25 |
The Paternalists Toolbox | 51 |
three | 59 |
Paternalism and welfare | 87 |
four | 123 |
five | 143 |
The Lives we Save May Be our own | 163 |
acknowledgments | 187 |
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Common terms and phrases
action active affect allow answer approaches argument asked autonomy behavioral behavioral market failures believe benefits better choice architecture choose cigarettes concerns Consider consumers costs count course decisions default rules depends designed disclosure discussion econ economics effect efforts emphasize empirical ends energy engaging errors example experience fact findings focus freedom of choice fuel economy future hard Harm heuristic human idea imagine important impose increase individuals influence involves issues judgments justified kind learning least less lives matters means Mill moral nudges objections paternalistic people’s perhaps person possible preferences problem produce promote public officials question raises reason relevant require respect response risks salience savings seen sense serious simply smoking social soft paternalism standard suggest supra note System tion true understand warnings welfare