[extropy-chat] Libertarian paternalism

[Damien Sullivan]

http://gsbwww.uchicago.edu/fac/richard.thaler/research/LIbpatLaw.pdf

Cass Sunsteina and Richard Thaler defend what they call libertarian
paternalism, on grounds of bounded rationality.

Abstract:
The idea of libertarian paternalism might seem to be an oxymoron, but it
is both possible and desirable for private and public institutions to
influence behavior while also respecting freedom of choice. Often
people's preferences are unclear and ill-formed, and their choices will
inevitably be influenced by default rules, framing effects, and starting
points. In these circumstances, a form of paternalism cannot be avoided.
Equipped with an understanding of behavioral findings of bounded
rationality and bounded self-control, libertarian paternalists should
attempt to steer people's choices in welfare-promoting directions
without eliminating freedom of choice. It is also possible to show how a
libertarian paternalist might select among the possible options and to
assess how much choice to offer. Examples are given from many areas,
including savings behavior, labor law, and consumer protection.

It's a 44 page PDF, but the first few pages will give an idea of how
they're thinking.

-xx- Damien X-)