Review of Behavioral Economics > Vol 5 > Issue 3-4

The Dangerous Allure of Libertarian Paternalism

Richard A. Epstein, University of Chicago, USA, raepstein43@gmail.com
 
Suggested Citation
Richard A. Epstein (2018), "The Dangerous Allure of Libertarian Paternalism", Review of Behavioral Economics: Vol. 5: No. 3-4, pp 389-416. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/105.00000087

Publication Date: 31 Dec 2018
© 2018 R. A. Epstein
 
Subjects
Behavioral Economics
 

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This is published under the terms of CC-BY.

In this article:
1. Preliminaries: Methodological Caveats 
2. The Becker Model of Rational Behavior—Critiqued 
3. Why Behavioral Mistakes Don’t Matter That Much—Institutionally 
4. Conclusion 
References 

Abstract

This paper offers a sustained critique of behavioral law and economics (BLE) on both a theoretical and practical level. The theoretical discussion fastens on the unwillingness of BLE take into account how the standard biological account of inclusive fitness helps explain key elements of human behavior in family and other nonmarket settings—an omission that it shares with much of traditional rational choice theory. The practical level disputes the central claims of libertarian paternalism. First, the theory is not libertarian—for at no point does it indicate areas where deregulation is appropriate, including the antidiscrimination laws in competitive labor markets. Second, its broad definition of paternalism is useless in all real world analysis. These omissions cause BLE to underestimate the extent to which market institutions can correct for various cognitive biases, leading it to systematically overstate the individual and social benefits deriving from either mandatory disclosures or mandatory contributions to both private and public pension plans and social security. The programs perform far worse than private pension plans regulated under classical principles of freedom of contract.

DOI:10.1561/105.00000087

Companion

Review of Behavioral Economics, Volume 5, Issue 3-4 Special issue Paternalism: Articles Overiew
See the other articles that are part of this special issue.