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Behavioral Approaches: How Nudges Lead to More Intelligent Policy Design

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Contemporary Approaches to Public Policy

Part of the book series: International Series on Public Policy ((ISPP))

Abstract

This chapter traces the rise of behavioral policy from the works of behavioral economists in the 1960s to the recent official interest in units designed to improve public policies. It argues that behavioral economics does not pose a threat to mainstream economics; moreover, policy-makers find it helpful in solving practical problems using randomized controlled trials. It also leads to greater innovation within public bureaucracies, better use of social science evidence, and a more citizen-friendly public administration. Behavioral techniques can also empower the citizen and interest groups by helping them nudge policy-makers to be accountable and responsive. A behavioral approach can open up public bureaucracies to citizen influence and create a more responsive public realm that uses social science evidence in a timely and adaptive way.

I thank Liz Richardson for her comments on an earlier draft of this chapter.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Policy, University College London, London, UK

    Peter John

Authors
  1. Peter John
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. President of the International Public Po, University of Pittsburgh, USA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    B. Guy Peters

  2. General Secretary of the International P, LAET-ENTPE, University of Lyon, France, Lyon, France

    Philippe Zittoun

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© 2016 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s)

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John, P. (2016). Behavioral Approaches: How Nudges Lead to More Intelligent Policy Design. In: Peters, B., Zittoun, P. (eds) Contemporary Approaches to Public Policy. International Series on Public Policy . Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-50494-4_7

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