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When Does Libertarian Paternalism Work?

Author

Listed:
  • Bruce Ian Carlin
  • Simon Gervais
  • Gustavo Manso

Abstract

We develop a theoretical model to study the effects of libertarian paternalism on knowledge acquisition and social learning. Individuals in our model are permitted to appreciate and use the information content in the default options set by the government. We show that in some settings libertarian paternalism may decrease welfare because default options slow information aggregation in the market. We also analyze what happens when the government acquires imprecise information about individuals, and characterize its incentives to avoid full disclosure of its information to the market, even when it has perfect information. Finally, we consider a market in which individuals can sell their information to others and show that the presence of default options causes the quality of advice to decrease, which may lower social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Ian Carlin & Simon Gervais & Gustavo Manso, 2009. "When Does Libertarian Paternalism Work?," NBER Working Papers 15139, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:15139
    Note: CF LE PE POL
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Duflo & Emmanuel Saez, 2003. "The Role of Information and Social Interactions in Retirement Plan Decisions: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(3), pages 815-842.
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    Cited by:

    1. V. Smith & Eric Moore, 2010. "Behavioral Economics and Benefit Cost Analysis," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 46(2), pages 217-234, June.
    2. Martin Binder, 2014. "Should evolutionary economists embrace libertarian paternalism?," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 515-539, July.
    3. Klump Rainer & Wörsdörfer Manuel, 2015. "Paternalistic Economic Policies: Foundations, Implications and Critical Evaluations," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 66(1), pages 27-60, January.
    4. Per-Olov Johansson & Bengt Kriström (ed.), 2011. "Modern Cost–Benefit Analysis of Hydropower Conflicts," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14253.
    5. SATO, Motohiro & 佐藤, 主光 & SAITO, Makoto & 齊藤, 誠, 2011. "The context effect in the choice of earthquake insurance contracts in Japan," Discussion Papers 2011-10, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government

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