Nudging Cannot Solve Complex Policy Problems

Selinger, Evan; Whyte, Kyle

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Nudging Cannot Solve Complex Policy Problems

European Journal of Risk Regulation, 2012

6 Pages Posted: 23 Jan 2012 Last revised: 10 Apr 2012

See all articles by Evan Selinger

Evan Selinger

Rochester Institute of Technology - Department of Philosophy

Kyle Whyte

University of Michigan

Date Written: December 30, 2011

Abstract

We deepen Adam Burgess’s insight that under current conditions nudging cannot solve complex policy problems reliably and without controversy. We do so by integrating his concerns about nudging into Braden Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz’s three-leveled model of the basic problems technology can address and generate. We use this model to explain why the UK experiment with nudging has revolved around techno-fixes with limited policy potential, and conclude that nudging is best seen as an emerging form of soft law.

Keywords: Nudge, Nudging Policy, Techno-Fix

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Selinger, Evan and Whyte, Kyle Powys, Nudging Cannot Solve Complex Policy Problems (December 30, 2011). European Journal of Risk Regulation, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1989466