Trusting Nudges by Sunstein, Cass R.; Reisch, Lucia A.;

Short description:

Using a data from a wide range of countries, this book addresses concerns that nudges might be manipulating people by looking at levels of popular support for these behaviorally informed policies, exploring differences between countries, types of "nudge", and the role of political differences.

Long description:

Many "nudges" aim to make life simpler, safer, or easier for people to navigate, but what do members of the public really think about these policies? Drawing on surveys from numerous nations around the world, Sunstein and Reisch explore whether citizens approve of nudge policies. Their most important finding is simple and striking. In diverse countries, both democratic and nondemocratic, strong majorities approve of nudges designed to promote health, safety, and environmental protection—and their approval cuts across political divisions.

In recent years, many governments have implemented behaviorally informed policies, focusing on nudges—understood as interventions that preserve freedom of choice, but that also steer people in certain directions. In some circles, nudges have become controversial, with questions raised about whether they amount to forms of manipulation. This fascinating book carefully considers these criticisms and answers important questions. What do citizens actually think about behaviorally informed policies? Do citizens have identifiable principles in mind when they approve or disapprove of the policies? Do citizens of different nations agree with each other?

From the answers to these questions, the authors identify six principles of legitimacy—a "bill of rights" for nudging that build on strong public support for nudging policies around the world, while also recognizing what citizens disapprove of. Their bill of rights is designed to capture citizens’ central concerns, reflecting widespread commitments to freedom and welfare that transcend national boundaries.

"This is a fantastic book that will be required reading for the growing number of people around the world who want to nudge for good!", Owain Service, UK Behavioural Insights Team

"Nudges can save lives, but only if people let them. Drawing on surveys from around the world, Sunstein and Reisch find surprising regularities in the policies people support, regularities that generalize across nations and nudges. This book is essential reading for prudent policymakers.", Barbara Ann Mellers, I. George Heyman University Professor, Wharton University of Pennsylvania, USA

"The results of carefully collected survey data from several countries inform the design of a convincing "bill of rights" for nudges by government, a list of rights that is also consistent with broadly accepted normative principles. The book is thus an important guide for research and practice going forward.", Jonathan Baron, Professor of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Table of Contents:

Preface.  1. Why Public Opinion Matters.  2. The United States, 1: Evidence.  3. The United States, 2: Principles.  4. Europe.  5. A Global Consensus? Not Quite.  6. Trusting Nudges.  7. Educative Nudges and Noneducative Nudges.  8. Misconceptions.  9. A Bill of Rights for Nudging.  Acknowledgments