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on Nudge and Boosting |
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Issue of 2025–06–30
three papers chosen by Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Björn Bartling; Krishna Srinivasan |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the determinants of individuals’ demand for and supply of paternalistic interventions - measures intended to help others avoid mistakes. Based on data from an incentivized experiment conducted with a large U.S. sample, we find that both demand and supply are higher for informational interventions than for those that restrict choice, and when targeted individuals perceive themselves or are perceived as more error-prone. Moreover, granting targets the right to withhold consent increases demand. These behavioral patterns, supported by participants’ free-text responses, suggest that both receiving and supplying interventions entail utility costs, particularly when interventions infringe upon personal autonomy. Our findings inform policy design by highlighting the importance of autonomy-preserving features such as choice options and consent rights in securing public support for paternalistic interventions. |
| Keywords: | paternalism, interventions, consent rights, policy design |
| JEL: | C91 D60 D91 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11886 |
| By: | Burger, Maximilian Nicolaus; Nilgen, Marco; Vollan, Björn |
| Abstract: | Citizens’ Juries (CJs) are increasingly implemented as a means to engage citizens in deliberation on complex policy challenges, yet their effectiveness can be undermined by cognitive biases and limited value-driven reasoning. This study evaluates the impact of bias alleviation and value activation exercises on deliberative quality and civic engagement in four CJs conducted in Bogotá, Colombia. Two juries incorporated these exercises as treatment interventions, and two served as controls with extended deliberation time. Results reveal that deliberation itself modestly reduced confirmation bias compared to non-participants, while the structured interventions enhanced participants’ awareness of biases and value-based reasoning. However, the interventions did not significantly reduce the occurrence of biases and led to a perceived trade-off with deliberation time. Participation in CJs also showed improved trust in science and political self-efficacy, demonstrating their potential to foster civic engagement. These findings highlight the nuanced benefits and limitations of integrating debiasing interventions into mini-publics to enhance deliberative quality and equity in policymaking. |
| Keywords: | democracy; environmental economics; food systems; participatory research; public participation; sustainability; Colombia; Americas; South America |
| Date: | 2024–12–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:gsspwp:169372 |
| By: | Makoto Kuroki; Shusaku Sasaki |
| Abstract: | Budget officers often assess public project proposals based on available financial support and expected outcomes. However, behavioral factors such as time discounting and psychological hesitation may lead to underinvestment in programs with delayed but significant benefits. This study investigates whether financial incentives and non-financial nudges can influence budgetary decisions in local governments. We conducted a nationwide mail-based survey experiment targeting budget officers in Japanese municipalities and received 490 valid responses. Using a 2*2 randomized design, we tested the independent and combined effects of a financial incentive (a 50% national subsidy) and a non-financial nudge (loss framing and peer information). All three treatments significantly increased assessed budget amounts compared to the control group. The largest effect appeared in the combination group (approximately 1.1 million JPY higher, p |
| Date: | 2025–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2505.08323 |