Nudges Do Not Undermine Human Agency: A Note

Abstract

Some people believe that nudges undermine human agency, but with appropriate nudges, neither agency nor consumer freedom is at risk. On the contrary, nudges can promote both goals. In some contexts, they are indispensable. There is no opposition between education on the one hand and nudges on the other. Many nudges are educative. Even when they are not, they can complement, and not displace, consumer education.

Keywords: nudge, choice architecture, navigability, agency

JEL Classification: D003, D10, D11, D18, D60, D80, K0, K2