This is my theory about Libertarian Paternalism. There are people who will insist on "nudging" others, for a variety of reasons, some of them well-intentioned. If you don't give them something to nudge (if you don't let them set the status quo for retirement account savings rates, or influence whether fruits come first or last in a school cafeteria) they will eventually begin to shove, and they will justify their shoving as an attempt to prevent society from you.
You will have become "the man" who oppresses society. Let them nudge just enough to occupy themselves, and keep them out of the bigger decisions. Because if they ever get the power to shove, everyone and everything will seem to need shoving.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Blog Archive
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2011
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November
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- Understanding Social Interactions is Difficult
- Somewhat defending Barney Frank
- Libertarian Paternalism
- Econophysics is a joke
- Bailey's Radio Interview
- Sometimes they actually say it...
- Sustainability means activism
- and the pope knows not how to respond...
- Christopher Columbus Loves Genghis Kahn
- What little I know about taxes and income inequality
- About the rich and the taxes they pay
- Podcast interview on farm animal welfare
- A Pulitzer winner talks about writing and liberty
- The power of Atlas Shrugged
- So awesome a quote
- Writing For The Public About Ethical Issues
- Prepared Remarks About "Gasland" Documentary
- Reasons to love Genghis Kahn
- Low unemployment rates for agricultural economics ...
- Great Hobhouse Quotes
- This blog posting is not accurate
- Integrity in Macroeconomics
- Rational Economic Man?
- Food Safety: Who Regulates the Regulators?
- Small farms are all we need
- Don't hate the merchant, hate the game
- Overrated Universities
- Galbraith on Keynes
- Galbraith on lecturing
- Galbraith on Tenure
- Piquo and Welfare Economics
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