Palgrave Macmillan, 2013
DESCRIPTION
This book explains the informational, ethical, and practical problems faced by libertarian paternalism and “nudges,” by which the government subtly influences people’s choices for their own good. 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 book argues against the use of paternalistic nudges by the government and makes a positive case for individual choice and autonomy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: We Start with a Donut . . .
Chapter 1: The Problem with Traditional Economic Models of Choice
Chapter 2: How Behavioral Economics Makes the Same Mistakes
Chapter 3: How Behavioral Economics Met Law and Economics and Begat Nudge
Chapter 4: Why Nudges Can’t Do What They Promise
Chapter 5: Why Nudges Are Unethical
Chapter 6: All Nudges Are Not Created Equal
Chapter 7: Why Choice Matters So Much—and What Can Be Done to Preserve It
A Guide (Not a Nudge!) to Further Reading
ENDORSEMENTS
“The ‘libertarian paternalism’ theory promises to use the state to help correct citizens’ wrong decisions without asking their consent, yet also without truly entering the realm of coercion. Too good to be true? Indeed it is, as this book helps to show. Mark White gives us the sort of analysis we need to nudge back.” – Walter Olson, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute, USA
“The Manipulation of Choice states that paternalists impose their own values and goals onto hapless consumers and citizens. Hence, public policies designed to correct the imperfections of behavioral irrationality are coercive. This is an important point and one that needs to be debated.” – Jonathan B. Wight, Professor of Economics and International Studies, University of Richmond, USA
REVIEWS/PRESS MENTIONS
“Britain’s Ministry of Nudges,” by Katrin Bennhold, The New York Times, December 8, 2013
“Soft Paternalism, or the Future of Authority and Obedience,” by George Dvorsky, io9, December 13, 2013
Review by Alex Abbandonato, Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics, Autumn 2013, pp. 78-83.
“Standing Up to the New Paternalists,” by Sean Collins, spiked, October 21, 2013
Review by Jonny Anomaly, The Independent Review, 18(2), Fall 2013, pp. 301-305.
Review: “The Case against Libertarian Paternalism,” by Anthony Randazzo, Reason, April 23, 2013
PRESENTATION (panel at the Petrie-Flom 2014 conference on Behavioral Economics and Health Care)
RELATED ARTICLES/BLOG POSTS
“The richness of personal interests: A neglected aspect of the nudge debate,” LSE British Politics & Policy blog, October 23, 2013
“Nudge—the dangers of manipulation,” Policy Options, June 2013
“Cass Sunstein on paternalism in The New York Review of Books,” Economics and Ethics, February 20, 2013
“Ban Nudges, Not Soda,” Psychology Today, February 22, 2013
“Nanny state nudges freedom out of the way,” The Washington Times, March 14, 2013
“On Mark Bittman, the soda ban, and ‘making people think twice’ about their decisions,” Economics and Ethics, March 20, 2013
“What’s Wrong with Paternalism and the ‘Nanny State,’” Psychology Today, March 25, 2013
Mark D. White 