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Paternalism, Nudging and Liberty
Author(s) -
Snowdon Christopher
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
economic affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1468-0270
pISSN - 0265-0665
DOI - 10.1111/ecaf.12270
Subject(s) - paternalism , popularity , structuring , law and economics , liberalism , classical liberalism , law , economics , political science , sociology , politics
The recent popularity of ‘nudge’ – involving governments structuring choices to lead individuals to choose outcomes which policymakers wish to encourage – has given rise to a belief that ‘libertarian paternalism’ offers a modern substitute for classical liberalism. But most governments are more paternalistic and less libertarian than nudge theorists. If ‘nudge’ was taken seriously, many existing laws would be repealed and few new laws would be made.