In Defense of Intentionally Shaping People's Choices

TY - JOUR

T1 - In Defense of Intentionally Shaping People's Choices

AU - Pedersen, Viki Møller Lyngby

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2022.

PY - 2022/12

Y1 - 2022/12

N2 - In defense of nudging policies, proponents have pointed out that choice architecture is inevitable. However, critics have objected that shaping people’s choices in an intentional way is not inevitable and involves an objectionable substitution of judgment, with the choice architect imposing his will on others. Accordingly, the inevitability of choice architecture in general does not provide reason to accept intentional nudges. In contrast to this view, the paper argues that precisely because the choice architects will unavoidably contribute to people’s choices, it is permissible for them to consider the content of the choices that their choice architecture promotes. Specifically, I argue that it is often within choice architects’, including states’, own legitimate sphere of control whether they want to contribute to other people’s behaviors through their organization of the choice architecture. It is argued that such intentional choice architecture does not involve objectionable substitution of judgment.

AB - In defense of nudging policies, proponents have pointed out that choice architecture is inevitable. However, critics have objected that shaping people’s choices in an intentional way is not inevitable and involves an objectionable substitution of judgment, with the choice architect imposing his will on others. Accordingly, the inevitability of choice architecture in general does not provide reason to accept intentional nudges. In contrast to this view, the paper argues that precisely because the choice architects will unavoidably contribute to people’s choices, it is permissible for them to consider the content of the choices that their choice architecture promotes. Specifically, I argue that it is often within choice architects’, including states’, own legitimate sphere of control whether they want to contribute to other people’s behaviors through their organization of the choice architecture. It is argued that such intentional choice architecture does not involve objectionable substitution of judgment.

KW - choice architecture

KW - legitimate sphere of control

KW - nudging

KW - substitution of judgment

KW - the inevitability argument

U2 - 10.1177/10659129211069974

DO - 10.1177/10659129211069974

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1065-9129

VL - 75

SP - 1335

EP - 1344

JO - Political Research Quarterly

JF - Political Research Quarterly

IS - 4

ER -