Lucia A. Reisch – författare

Many "nudges" aim to make life simpler, safer, or easier for people to navigate, but what do members of the public really think about these policies? Drawing on surveys from numerous nations around the world, Sunstein and Reisch explore whether citizens approve of nudge policies. Their most important finding is simple and striking. In diverse countries, both democratic and nondemocratic, strong majorities approve of nudges designed to promote health, safety, and environmental protection—and their approval cuts across political divisions.

In recent years, many governments have implemented behaviorally informed policies, focusing on nudges—understood as interventions that preserve freedom of choice, but that also steer people in certain directions. In some circles, nudges have become controversial, with questions raised about whether they amount to forms of manipulation. This fascinating book carefully considers these criticisms and answers important questions. What do citizens actually think about behaviorally informed policies? Do citizens have identifiable principles in mind when they approve or disapprove of the policies? Do citizens of different nations agree with each other?

From the answers to these questions, the authors identify six principles of legitimacy—a "bill of rights" for nudging that build on strong public support for nudging policies around the world, while also recognizing what citizens disapprove of. Their bill of rights is designed to capture citizens’ central concerns, reflecting widespread commitments to freedom and welfare that transcend national boundaries.

Many "nudges" aim to make life simpler, safer, or easier for people to navigate, but what do members of the public really think about these policies? Drawing on surveys from numerous nations around the world, Sunstein and Reisch explore whether citizens approve of nudge policies. Their most important finding is simple and striking. In diverse countries, both democratic and nondemocratic, strong majorities approve of nudges designed to promote health, safety, and environmental protection—and their approval cuts across political divisions.

In recent years, many governments have implemented behaviorally informed policies, focusing on nudges—understood as interventions that preserve freedom of choice, but that also steer people in certain directions. In some circles, nudges have become controversial, with questions raised about whether they amount to forms of manipulation. This fascinating book carefully considers these criticisms and answers important questions. What do citizens actually think about behaviorally informed policies? Do citizens have identifiable principles in mind when they approve or disapprove of the policies? Do citizens of different nations agree with each other?

From the answers to these questions, the authors identify six principles of legitimacy—a "bill of rights" for nudging that build on strong public support for nudging policies around the world, while also recognizing what citizens disapprove of. Their bill of rights is designed to capture citizens’ central concerns, reflecting widespread commitments to freedom and welfare that transcend national boundaries.

Divided into five key thematic parts, the Research Handbook covers everything from the foundations of nudging to its use in organizations. Top international scholars approach the subject from multiple disciplines and perspectives, examining current debates in the field, including the relationship between nudges and freedom; nudges, behavioral biases, and noise; the fundamental role of default rules and social norms; and how nudging can enhance human welfare. Health, safety, poverty, employment, the environment (including climate change), economic growth, and civil rights are among the subjects covered. The Research Handbook concludes with a detailed look at contested ideas and real-world policies, such as ethics and the policies of Covid-19, as well as providing commentary on misconceptions about nudging.

This Research Handbook is an essential resource for scholars and students in the fields of behavioral economics, public policy, law, public administration, public health, food policy, and sustainable development policy. The state-of-the-art practical insights into nudging, as well as accessible style, also makes this an invigorating read for practitioners.

Against this background, the Handbook of Research on Sustainable Consumption provides an interdisciplinary overview of recent research on the ecological and social obstacles we face through over consumption, drawing attention to the salience of the subject and stimulating discussion in this area. In 27 chapters, leading authorities in the field provide concise and accessible expertise, covering a wide range of approaches from psychology to economics.

This collection will be a useful point of reference for students, researchers and policy makers seeking a wider understanding of the state-of-the-art of sustainable consumption research.

Contributors: G. Antonides, C. Baatz, J.W. Bolderdijk, H. Chappells, M.A. Cohen, M.J. Cohen, H. Dagevos, W.J. Fellner, C.J. Fitzmaurice, M. Friman, T. Gärling, K. Gram-Hanssen, W. Gwozdz, D. Hauptstock, E. Heiskanen, P. Hennicke, E.G. Hertwich, S. Lorek, M.G. Luchs, E. Matthies, R.A. Miller, O. Mont, S. Nitzko, C.L. Noblet, K. Ott, K. Peattie, A. Rasche, L.A. Reisch, D. Roy, G. Scholl, J.B. Schor, S. Shewmake, C.L. Spash, A. Spiller, K. Steen-Olsen, L. Steg, P.C. Stern, C.R. Sunstein, M.F. Teisl, J. Thøgersen, F. Trentmann, A. Tukker, M.P. Vandenbergh, M. Vérain, P.J. Vergragt, B. Verplanken, L. Voget-Kleschin, H. Wallis, A. Warde, D. Welch