Rezension: Sunstein, Cass R. & Reisch, Lucia A. (2023): Research Handbook on Nudges and Society

Abstract

Over the past fifteen years, behavioural public policies have spread worldwide. Recently, however, experts have advocated for a more self-critical approach. It is argued that the nudging community must confront its own biases and evolve by considering social contexts, building on a broader spectrum of methods and cultivating political and epistemic humility. The Research Handbook features contributions from internationally renowned scholars in behavioural sciences and economics. While some of authors maintain a narrower and more overconfident perspective, the majority presents readers with novel theoretical perspectives, diverse methodological approaches and practical limits. The Handbook covers a broad spectrum of areas including food policy, social norms, welfare, social media, animal protection, finance and sustainability. A concluding section discusses the ethical concerns and "battlefields" associated with nudging. The nudging community needs to deepen its understanding of its institutional embeddedness, the translation of behavioural insights into policies, and its political and epistemic consequences.