Escaping Paternalism: Rationality, Behavioral Economics, and Public Policy

ISBN-13: 9781108760003 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 506 str.

Mario J. Rizzo; Glen Whitman

Opis

This book carefully dissects the claims of nudge theory and other forms of paternalism based on behavioral economics. The authors reveal how paternalist normative standards are unjustified and why paternalist policymaking is unlikely to produce desirable results, arguing instead for a more inclusive theory of rationality in economic policymaking.

Recenzje

'Mario J. Rizzo and Glen Whitman present a powerful and well-documented critique of behavioural economists' justifications of paternalism. They argue convincingly that these justifications illegitimately presuppose that rational-choice theory is a normative standard. Inspired by the psychology of Gerd Gigerenzer, they offer a more pragmatic and 'ecological' understanding of human rationality.' Robert Sugden, University of East Anglia

Spis treści

1. Introduction: puppets and puppet masters; 2. What is rationality?; 3. Rationality for puppets; 4. Preference biases; 5. The rationality of beliefs; 6. Deficient foundations for behavioral policymaking; 7. Knowledge problems in paternalist policymaking; 8. The political economy of paternalist policymaking; 9. Slippery slopes in paternalist policymaking; 10. Common threads, escape routes, and paths forward; References; Index.