The rationality paradox of Nudge: rational tools of government in a world of bounded rationality

Lodge, Martin and Wegrich, Kai (2016) The rationality paradox of Nudge: rational tools of government in a world of bounded rationality. Law & Policy, 38 (3). pp. 250-267. ISSN 1467-9930

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Abstract

Nudge and the wider behavioural economics approach has become increasingly dominant in contemporary political and policy discourse. While much attention has been paid to the attractions and criticisms of Nudge (such as ‘liberal paternalism’), this paper argues that Nudge is based on a rationality ‘paradox’ in that it represents an approach that despite its emphasis on bounded rationality does not reflect on its own ‘limits to rationality’. The paper considers the implications of this paradox by considering mechanisms that influence government decision-making, and mechanisms that lead to unintended consequences in the context of policy interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(IS...
Additional Information:	© 2016 The Author. Law & Policy © 2015 The University of Denver/Colorado Seminary
Library of Congress subject classification:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Sets:	Departments > Law
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2016 13:54
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/64912/

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