Synopses & Reviews
Based on a series of pathbreaking lectures given at Yale University in 2012, this powerful, thought-provoking work by national best-selling author Cass R. Sunstein combines legal theory with behavioral economics to make a fresh argument about the legitimate scope of government, bearing on obesity, smoking, distracted driving, health care, food safety, and other highly volatile, high-profile public issues. Behavioral economists have established that people often make decisions that run counter to their best interestsand#151;producing what Sunstein describes as and#147;behavioral market failures.and#8221; Sometimes we disregard the long term; sometimes we are unrealistically optimistic; sometimes we do not see what is in front of us. With this evidence in mind, Sunstein argues for a new form of paternalism, one that protects people against serious errors but also recognizes the risk of government overreaching and usually preserves freedom of choice.
Against those who reject paternalism of any kind, Sunstein shows that and#147;choice architectureand#8221;and#151;government-imposed structures that affect our choicesand#151;is inevitable, and hence that a form of paternalism cannot be avoided. He urges that there are profoundly moral reasons to ensure that choice architecture is helpful rather than harmfuland#151;and that it makes peopleand#8217;s lives better and longer.
Review
"I love this book. It is one of the few books I've read recently that fundamentally changes the way I think about the world. Just as surprising, it is fun to read, drawing on examples as far afield as urinals, 401(k) plans, organ donations, and marriage. Academics aren't supposed to be able to write this well."and#8212;Steven Levitt, Alvin Baum Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and co-author of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Review
"In this utterly brilliant book, Thaler and Sunsteinandnbsp;teach us howandnbsp;to steer people toward better health, sounder investments, and cleaner environmentsandnbsp;without depriving them of their inalienable right to make a mess of things if they want to.andnbsp;Theandnbsp;inventor of behavioral economics and one of the nation's best legal minds have produced the manifesto for a revolution in practice and policy.andnbsp;
Nudge won't nudge youand#8212;itandnbsp;will knock you off your feet."and#8212;Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology, Harvard University, Author of
Stumbling on HappinessReview
and#8220;This is an engaging, informative, and thoroughly delightful book. Thaler and Sunstein provide important lessons for structuring social policies so that people still have complete choice over their own actions, but are gently nudged to do what is in their own best interests. Well done.and#8221;and#8212;Don Norman, Northwestern University, Author of
The Design of Everyday Things and
The Design of Future ThingsReview
and#8220;This book is terrific. It will change the way you think, not only about the world around you and some of its bigger problems, but also about yourself.and#8221;and#8212;Michael Lewis, author of
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and
Liar's PokerReview
"Two University of Chicago professors sketch a new approach to public policy that takes into account the odd realities of human behavior, like the deep and unthinking tendency to conform. Even in areasand#8212;like energy consumptionand#8212;where conformity is irrelevant. Thaler has documented the ways people act illogically."and#8212;Barbara Kiviat, Time
Review
"Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's
Nudge is a wonderful book: more fun than any important book has a right to beand#8212;and yet it is truly both."and#8212;Roger Lowenstein, author of
When Genius FailedReview
"A manifesto for using the recent behavioral research to help people, as well as government agencies, companies and charities, make better decisions."and#8212;David Leonhardt, The New York Times Magazine
Review
and#8220;How often do you read a book that is both important and amusing, both practical and deep?andnbsp;This gem of a book presents the best idea that has come out of behavioral economics.andnbsp;It is a must-read for anyone who wants to see both our minds and our society working better.andnbsp;It will improve your decisions and it will make the world a better place.and#8221;and#8212;Daniel Kahneman, Princeton University, Nobel Laureate in Economics
Review
"Engaging, enlightening."and#8212;George Scialabba, Boston Sunday Globe
Review
"The suggestions in Nudge provide fascinating examples of how tiny changes in context can cue radically different behaviour. Awareness of these cues empowers consumers, voters and decision-makers."and#8212;Rebecca Walberg, National Post
Review
"An essential read . . . an entertaining book. . . . The book isn't only humorous, it's loaded with good ideas that financial-service executives, policy makers, Wall Street mavens, and all savers can use."and#8212;John F. Wasik, Boston Globe
Synopsis
A groundbreaking discussion of how we can apply the new science of choice architecture to nudge people toward decisions that will improve their lives by making them healthier, wealthier, and more free
Synopsis
The bestselling author of Simpler offers a powerful, provocative, and convincing argument for protecting people from their own mistakes
Based on a series of pathbreaking lectures given at Yale University in 2012, this powerful, thought-provoking work by national best-selling author Cass R. Sunstein combines legal theory with behavioral economics to make a fresh argument about the legitimate scope of government, bearing on obesity, smoking, distracted driving, health care, food safety, and other highly volatile, high-profile public issues. Behavioral economists have established that people often make decisions that run counter to their best interests--producing what Sunstein describes as "behavioral market failures." Sometimes we disregard the long term; sometimes we are unrealistically optimistic; sometimes we do not see what is in front of us. With this evidence in mind, Sunstein argues for a new form of paternalism, one that protects people against serious errors but also recognizes the risk of government overreaching and usually preserves freedom of choice.
Against those who reject paternalism of any kind, Sunstein shows that "choice architecture"--government-imposed structures that affect our choices--is inevitable, and hence that a form of paternalism cannot be avoided. He urges that there are profoundly moral reasons to ensure that choice architecture is helpful rather than harmful--and that it makes people's lives better and longer.
Synopsis
Every day, we make decisions on topics ranging from personal investments to schools for our children to the meals we eat to the causes we champion. Unfortunately, we often choose poorly. The reason, the authors explain in this important exploration of choice architecture, is that, being human, we all are susceptible to various biases that can lead us to blunder. Our mistakes make us poorer and less healthy; we often make bad decisions involving education, personal finance, health care, mortgages and credit cards, the family, and even the planet itself.
and#160;
Thaler and Sunstein invite us to enter an alternative world, one that takes our humanness as a given. They show that by knowing how people think, we can design choice environments that make it easier for people to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their society. Using colorful examples from the most important aspects of life, Thaler and Sunstein demonstrate how thoughtful and#147;choice architectureand#8221; can be established to nudge us in beneficial directions without restricting freedom of choice. Nudge offers a unique new takeand#151;from neither the left nor the rightand#151;on many hot-button issues, for individuals and governments alike. This is one of the most engaging and provocative books to come along in many years.
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About the Author
A conversation with Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
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Q: What do you mean by "nudge" and why do people sometimes need to be nudged?and#160;
A: By a nudge we mean anything that influences our choices.and#160;A school cafeteria might try to nudge kids toward good diets by putting the healthiest foods at front. We think that it's time for institutions, including government, to become much more user-friendly by enlisting the science of choice to make life easier for people and by gentling nudging them in directions that will make their lives better.
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Q: You discuss tricks our minds play on us, and biases we have. What are some of those?and#160;
A: As with visual or optical illusions, our minds can play tricks on us. For example, we are very sensitive to the way choices are described or "framed." A medical treatment can be made more or less attractive depending on whether the outcomes are described in terms of the chances of survival or the chances of death, even though these are, of course, equivalent.
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Q: What are some of the situations where nudges can make a difference?
A: Well, to name just a few: better investments for everyone, more savings for retirement, less obesity, more charitable giving, a cleaner planet, and an improved educational system. We could easily make people both wealthier and healthier by devising friendlierand#160;choice environments, or architectures.
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Q: Can you describe a nudge that is now being used successfully?and#160;
A: One example is the Save More Tomorrow program.and#160; Firms offer employees who are not saving very much the option of joining a program in which their saving rates are automatically increased whenever the employee gets a raise. This plan has more than tripled saving rates in some firms, and is now offered by thousands of employers.
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Q: You are very adamant about allowing people to have choice, even though they may make bad ones. But if we know what's best for people, why just nudge? Why not push and shove?and#160;
A: Those who are in position to shape our decisions can overreach or make mistakes, and freedom of choice is a safeguard to that. One of our goals in writing this book is to show that it is possible to help people make better choices and retain or even expand freedom.and#160;If people have their own ideas about what to eat and drink, and how to invest their money, they should be allowed to do so.