Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Analysis

Factual: Politics

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.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Analysis: Nudge Theory in Practice

Factual

Nudge Theory in Practice

25/03/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Analysis, Nudge Theory in Practice

How well have politicians' attempts to 'nudge' us into doing what they want worked?

Governments should incentivise rather than force citizens to behave better, according to the book Nudge. Author Cass Sunstein explains how governments have adopted his theories.

Politicians are wary of forcing us to do the things they think we should such as drinking less, saving more for our pensions or using public transport. But they are also reluctant to do nothing. The theories expounded in the book Nudge, published in 2008, suggested there was a third way: a "libertarian paternalist" option whereby governments made doing the right thing easier but not obligatory. Rather than making pensions compulsory, for example, governments could make saving for one the default option whilst preserving the right to opt out.

Nudge theory appealed to our better selves and to our politicians. The book's ideas were taken up by those inside government in Britain and the US.

One of the book's authors, Cass Sunstein, answers questions from an audience at the Institute for Government in London and tells presenter Edward Stourton how well he thinks his theories are working in practice.

Producer: Rosamund Jones.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Analysis

Nudge Theory in Practice

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4