Behavioural Public Policy

In this accessible collection, leading academic economists, psychologists and philosophers apply behavioural economic findings to practical policy concerns.

Adam Oliver (Edited by)

9781107617377, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 October 2013

249 pages, 18 b/w illus. 6 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.37 kg

'An exceptionally important set of contributions to current discussions of behavioral economics and public policy. Written by some of the best researchers in the world, the various chapters break new ground. They should be read carefully by policymakers and academics alike.' Cass R. Sunstein, Harvard University, and Former Administrator, White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

How can individuals best be encouraged to take more responsibility for their well-being and their environment or to behave more ethically in their business transactions? Across the world, governments are showing a growing interest in using behavioural economic research to inform the design of nudges which, some suggest, might encourage citizens to adopt beneficial patterns of behaviour. In this fascinating collection, leading academic economists, psychologists and philosophers reflect on how behavioural economic findings can be used to help inform the design of policy initiatives in the areas of health, education, the environment, personal finances and worker remuneration. Each chapter is accompanied by a shorter 'response' that provides critical commentary and an alternative perspective. This accessible book will interest academic researchers, graduate students and policy-makers across a range of disciplinary perspectives.

Introduction Adam Oliver
1. Ambiguity aversion and the UK government's response to swine flu Adam Oliver
1.1 A response to Oliver Christopher Exeter
2. Models of governance of public services: empirical and behavioural analysis of 'Econs' and 'Humans' Gwyn Bevan and Barbara Fasolo
2.1 A response to Bevan and Fasolo Charitini Stavropoulou
3. From irresponsible knaves to responsible knights for just 5p: behavioural public policy and the environment Kate Disney, Julian Le Grand and Giles Atkinson
3.1 A response to Disney, Le Grand and Atkinson Richard Cookson
4. The more who die, the less we care: psychic numbing and genocide Paul Slovic and Daniel Västfjäll
4.1 A response to Slovic and Västfjäll Jonathan Wolff
5. Healthy habits: some thoughts on the role of public policy in healthful eating and exercise under limited rationality Matthew Rabin
5.1 A response to Rabin Alex Voorhoeve
6. Confessing one's sins but still committing them: transparency and the failure of disclosure Sunita Sah, Daylian M. Cain and George Loewenstein
6.1 A response to Sah, Cain and Loewenstein Robert Sugden
7. How should people be rewarded for their work? Bruno Frey
7.1 A response to Frey Matteo M. Galizzi
8. Influencing the financial behaviour of individuals: the mindspace way Paul Dolan
8.1 A response to Dolan Sander van der Linden
9. Decision analysis from a neo-Calvinist point of view Drazen Prelec
9.1 A response to Prelec Luc Bovens
Index.

Subject Areas: Personal & public health [MBNH], Behavioural economics [KCK], Economics [KC], Psychology [JM]