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Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.

Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad, presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

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Analysis: Promises, Promises

Promises, Promises

31/05/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Analysis, Promises, Promises

Ben Rogers asks if getting us to make public pledges can change our behaviour.

Policy makers are keen for us to make public pledges as a means of keeping families together and tackling social problems. Ben Rogers explores the idea's value and limitations.

We drink too much, pollute too much and exercise too little. Smoking, drug-taking and anti social behaviour remain stubbornly high.

No wonder policy makers are very keen to find new and cost- effective ways of getting us to change our behaviour. 

Governments are increasingly drawing on new academic thinking in psychology and economics- work closely associated with American behaviour-change gurus like Richard Thaler and Robert Cialdini. And public pledges are seen as one of the most promising tools in the behaviour-change tool box. But are they the panacea to tackle our social problems or are promises just made to be broken? Presented by Ben Rogers.

Contributors: 

Tracy Gilbert, Acceptable Behaviour Agreement Coordinator, London Borough of Croydon
Liz Richardson, Research Fellow in Social Engagement, Manchester University
Robin Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford
John Spurr, Professor of History, Swansea University
Simon Burrall, Director of the think tank " Involve"
Toby Ord, British Academy Post- Doctoral Research Fellow in Philosophy, University of Oxford
David Halpern, Director of Research, The Institute for Government, London.

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