Rezension: John, Peter (2018): How Far to Nudge? Assessing Behavioural Public Policy

Abstract

In the past decade, interventions informed by behavioural economics and psychology have spread across jurisdictions and policy areas. Worldwide, more than one hundred organizations and networks are developing and implementing nudges and other behavioural tools. After an initial phase of curiosity, attention is now shifting to the varieties of behavioural public policy, its institutional and cultural embeddedness, its impact and limitations. In his most recent book, Peter John explores some of the crucial questions related to this next phase of nudge. He discusses the role of nudge units, the limitations of behavioural approaches and the ethics of nudge. Most importantly, John proposes a deliberative and reflective version of nudging, nudge plus. Readers might miss an in-depth discussion of pressing problems such as the globalizing influence of behavioural expertise, the imperialism of evidence hierarchies and the political repercussions of nudging. Despite these deficits, the book will inspire both further research and critical debates.