The Manipulation of Choice: Ethics and Libertarian PaternalismThis timely book makes a forceful argument that the analyses from behavioral economists are incomplete, the policies advocated by libertarian paternalists are misguided and unethical, and both actually reinforce the cognitive biases and dysfunctions that motivate 'nudges' in the first place. In a lighthearted manner, the author points out critical flaws in the way economists model decision-making, how behavioral economics failed to correct them, and how they led to the problems with libertarian paternalism and nudges. Sprinkled throughout with anecdotes, examples, and references to a wide range of scholarly literature, this new volume argues against the use of paternalistic nudges by the government and makes a positive case for individual choice and autonomy. This book is part of White's triptych on individualism and society, which includes The Illusion of Well-Being and The Decline of the Individual. |
Contents
Chapter 1 The Problems with Traditional Economic Models of Choice | 1 |
Chapter 2 How Behavioral Economics Makes the Same Mistakes | 22 |
Chapter 3 How Behavioral Economics Met Law and Economics and Begat Nudge | 43 |
Chapter 4 Why Nudges Cant Do What They Promise | 61 |
Chapter 5 Why Nudges Are Unethical | 81 |
Chapter 6 All Nudges Are Not Created Equal | 103 |
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action Amartya Sen argue assume autonomy behav behavioral economics behavioral economists behavioral law biases and heuristics cafeteria Cambridge University Press Camerer Cass Sunstein choose cigarette Coase theorem coercion coercive cognitive biases Colin Camerer constraints consumers decisions donut employees ences Ethics example explain fair-trade coffee George Loewenstein goals ideal Immanuel Kant irrational Jolls judge judgment Kant last chapter law and economics legal scholars libertarian paternalism libertarian paternalists mainstream economists manipulation Matthew Rabin model of choice moral muffin nalism nudges opportunity cost options paternalistic policies Patrick people’s people’s behavior people’s choices people’s decision-making people’s interests people’s true interests person person’s philosopher policymakers principles problem procrastination rational reason Regulation for Conservatives respect Richard Thaler self-control simply Sunstein and Thaler Thaler and Sunstein There’s things tion trade-offs traditional economic model value substitution well-being willpower