Government Paternalism

Nanny State or Helpful Friend?

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Social Policy, Politics, History & Theory, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Government Paternalism by Julian Le Grand, Bill New, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Julian Le Grand, Bill New ISBN: 9781400866298
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: January 25, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Julian Le Grand, Bill New
ISBN: 9781400866298
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: January 25, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Should governments save people from themselves? Do governments have the right to influence citizens' behavior related to smoking tobacco, eating too much, not saving enough, drinking alcohol, or taking marijuana—or does this create a nanny state, leading to infantilization, demotivation, and breaches in individual autonomy? Looking at examples from both sides of the Atlantic and around the world, Government Paternalism examines the justifications for, and the prevalence of, government involvement and considers when intervention might or might not be acceptable. Building on developments in philosophy, behavioral economics, and psychology, Julian Le Grand and Bill New explore the roles, boundaries, and responsibilities of the government and its citizens.

Le Grand and New investigate specific policy areas, including smoking, saving for pensions, and assisted suicide. They discuss legal restrictions on risky behavior, taxation of harmful activities, and subsidies for beneficial activities. And they pay particular attention to "nudge" or libertarian paternalist proposals that try to change the context in which individuals make decisions so that they make the right ones. Le Grand and New argue that individuals often display "reasoning failure": an inability to achieve the ends that they set themselves. Such instances are ideal for paternalistic interventions—for though such interventions might impinge on autonomy, the impact can be outweighed by an improvement in well-being.

Government Paternalism rigorously considers whether the state should guide citizen decision making in positive ways and if so, how this should be achieved.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Should governments save people from themselves? Do governments have the right to influence citizens' behavior related to smoking tobacco, eating too much, not saving enough, drinking alcohol, or taking marijuana—or does this create a nanny state, leading to infantilization, demotivation, and breaches in individual autonomy? Looking at examples from both sides of the Atlantic and around the world, Government Paternalism examines the justifications for, and the prevalence of, government involvement and considers when intervention might or might not be acceptable. Building on developments in philosophy, behavioral economics, and psychology, Julian Le Grand and Bill New explore the roles, boundaries, and responsibilities of the government and its citizens.

Le Grand and New investigate specific policy areas, including smoking, saving for pensions, and assisted suicide. They discuss legal restrictions on risky behavior, taxation of harmful activities, and subsidies for beneficial activities. And they pay particular attention to "nudge" or libertarian paternalist proposals that try to change the context in which individuals make decisions so that they make the right ones. Le Grand and New argue that individuals often display "reasoning failure": an inability to achieve the ends that they set themselves. Such instances are ideal for paternalistic interventions—for though such interventions might impinge on autonomy, the impact can be outweighed by an improvement in well-being.

Government Paternalism rigorously considers whether the state should guide citizen decision making in positive ways and if so, how this should be achieved.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book We, the People of Europe? by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Citizenship between Empire and Nation by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Trust and Violence by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Hidden Markov Processes by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book The Loneliness of the Black Republican by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Mathematical Tools for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Unelected Power by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book The Copyright Wars by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Syrian Episodes by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Code Red by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book The Lives of Bees by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Jewish Questions by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book Troubling the Waters by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960 by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
Cover of the book A Confucian Constitutional Order by Julian Le Grand, Bill New
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy