Second-Order Decisions

37 Pages Posted: 19 Nov 1999

See all articles by Cass R. Sunstein

Cass R. Sunstein

Harvard Law School; Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Edna Ullmann-Margalit

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Center for the Study of Rationality

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Abstract

People are often reluctant to make decisions by calculating the costs and benefits of alternative courses of action in particular cases. Knowing, in addition, that they may err, people and institutions often resort to second order strategies for reducing the burdens of, and risk of error in, first order decisions. They make a second order decision when they choose one from among such possible strategies. They adopt rules or presumptions; they create standards; they delegate authority to others; they take small steps; they pick rather than choose. Some of these strategies impose high costs before decision but low costs at the time of ultimate decision; others impose low costs both before and at the time of ultimate decision; still others impose low costs before decision while exporting to others the high costs at the time of decision. We assess these second-order strategies and provide grounds for choosing among them in both legal and nonlegal contexts, by exploring the extent to which they minimize the overall costs of decision and costs of error. We also attempt to cast light on political, legal, and ethical issues raised by second-order decisions.

Note: This article formerly was University of Chicago Law School, Public Law and Legal Theory Working Paper No. 01.

Suggested Citation

Sunstein, Cass R. and Ullmann-Margalit, Edna, Second-Order Decisions. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=193848 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.193848

Cass R. Sunstein (Contact Author)

Harvard Law School ( email )

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Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Edna Ullmann-Margalit

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Center for the Study of Rationality ( email )

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Jerusalem, 91904
Israel
972-26513681 (Fax)

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