Trusting Nudges? Lessons from an International Survey

Cass R. Sunstein, Lucia A. Reisch, Micha Kaiser

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Abstract

In the past decade, policymakers have increasingly used behaviourally informed policies, including ‘nudges,’ to produce desirable social outcomes. But do people actually endorse those policies? This study reports on nationally representative surveys in five countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, and the US) carried out in 2017/2018. We investigate whether people in these countries approve of a list of 15 nudges regarding health, the environment, and safety issues. A particular focus is whether trust in public institutions is a potential mediator of approval. The study confirms this correlation. We also find strong majority support of all nudges in the five countries. Our findings in general, and about trust in particular, suggest the importance not only of ensuring that behaviourally informed policies are effective, but also of developing them transparently and openly, and with an opportunity for members of the public to engage and to express their concerns.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of European Public Policy
Vol/bind26
Udgave nummer10
Sider (fra-til)1417-1443
Antal sider27
ISSN1350-1763
DOI
StatusUdgivet - okt. 2019

Emneord

  • Behavioural public policy
  • Choice architecture
  • Nudge
  • Online representative survey
  • Public approval
  • Trust

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