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Behavioral Public Policy and Well-Being: Towards a Normative Demarcation of Nudges and Sludges

Author

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  • Alejandro Hortal
  • Luis Enrique Segoviano Contreras

Abstract

Nudging and sludging are forms of choice architecture that shape behavior. While it is generally believed that nudging should improve well-being and sludging should decrease it, there has been debate about how to distinguish between the two. Some have suggested that the difference lies in the ease with which behaviors are facilitated or hindered, but this criterion does not consider the normative distinction (nudges have a positive connotation and sludges a negative one) or the impact on well-being. This paper proposes a normative approach to defining nudging and sludging that takes into account both well-being and the principle of autonomy. According to our proposal, the concept of nudging should involve interventions that aim to increase well-being while respecting individuals’ freedom of choice, while sludging involves interventions that decrease well-being while also respecting autonomy, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Hortal & Luis Enrique Segoviano Contreras, 2023. "Behavioral Public Policy and Well-Being: Towards a Normative Demarcation of Nudges and Sludges," Review of Behavioral Economics, now publishers, vol. 10(2), pages 57-76, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:now:jnlrbe:105.00000168
    DOI: 10.1561/105.00000168
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    Cited by:

    1. James Alm & Lilith Burgstaller & Arrita Domi & Amanda März & Matthias Kasper, 2023. "Nudges, Boosts, and Sludge: Using New Behavioral Approaches to Improve Tax Compliance," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-22, September.

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