‘Nudge theory’ penetrates UK government

The US economist Richard Thaler, author of the influential book Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness, is advising several UK government departments on how to influence behaviour without the need for regulation.

In an interview with Research Europe’s sister publication Research Fortnight, Thaler explained that he spent a week last month meeting ministers across government. “I go around and talk to ministers about what their problems are and whether there are insights from behavioural science that might enable them to achieve their goals better,” he said.