Cass R. Sunstein, Columnist

Some Countries Like 'Nudges' More Than Others

Research shows that Americans and conservatives can be less open to cues to change behavior.

July 19, 2017 at 12:30 PM UTC

Cass R. Sunstein is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the author of “The Cost-Benefit Revolution” and a co-author of “Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness.”

Information you can use or ignore.
Photographer: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

All over the world, private and public institutions have been adopting “nudges” -- interventions that preserve freedom of choice, but steer people in a particular direction.

A GPS device nudges you. So does a reminder from your doctor, informing you that you have an appointment next Wednesday; an automatic enrollment policy from your employer, defaulting you into a 401(k) plan; and a calorie label at fast-food restaurants, telling you that a cheeseburger won’t be great for your waistline.