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| Authors: Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein
Publisher: Yale University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
Buy New: $16.10
You Save: $9.90 (38%)
New (30) Used (8) from $15.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 274
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 0300122233
Dewey Decimal Number: 330.019
EAN: 9780300122237
ASIN: 0300122233
Publication Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Great condition, just arrived from publisher
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| Customer Reviews:
 Economics Breaks Free from 18th Century Psychology July 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Milton Friedman famously wrote that economic models should be judged by their ability to predict and explain, not the realism of their assumptions. Neoclassical microeconomics has long used that argument to defend itself from criticisms of its unrealistic assumptions. But Thaler, Sunstein and many others are amassing a large body of evidence that shows, in many important cases, that neoclassical microeconomics does not predict very well. In so doing, they are liberating economics from the straitjacket of outdated psychology.
In addition to economists, policy wonks should read the book for its clever, "libertarian paternalism" approach to policy that transcends the tired left-right dichotomy. Thaler and Sunstein present many VERY low-cost ideas that could result in major improvements in people's lives.
Heterodox economists of the old-institutionalist variety should also read the book, as it provides evidence for things like the power of emulation and inertia.
 False advertising July 5, 2008
5 out of 11 found this review helpful
Thaler and Sunstein's Nudge is best read as a list of examples of and general principles for developing choice architecture in order to improve outcomes. It can provide an understanding of the pros can cons of opt-out, opt-in, forced choices, random selection, and default preferences.
This book was sold to me as something more than that, and the authors continuously repeat their "libertarian paternalism" catch phrase. Simply put, there's very little that could be called libertarian about this book. School choice is a possible exception, but kids always complicate patterns.
To quote the video of the authors on the book's amazon page, "this book is not so much about whether we should have big or small government." The primary failing is that while government programs may be improved through choice architecture, there will always be force involved to the extent that government is making decisions. Reducing the size of the government budget is by default a way to increase liberty, and their refusal to acknowledge that makes their "libertarian paternalism" mantra ring hollow.
The most interesting fact I learned from this book is that the social security website has operating hours.
A Great Look at Human Psychology July 3, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
A very interesting and entertaining book on human behavior and the choices we make to live our lives. Another book, I recommend that takes a look at men's human behavior and choices they make about living their lives is Why Men Die Before Women and How to Prevent It. Replete with personal experiences and exercises,Mr Scaglione and Dr Shore make an excellent arguement on changing choices and how to do it to live a higher quality and longer life.
Excellent even for normal people June 25, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm not an economist and I rarely read non-fiction, but this is an excellent book. The authors' insights seem just like common sense -- except no one really thought of it before. Treat yourself to a good and educational read.
Interesting Book June 18, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I found this book to provide an interesting perspective into human behavior. The authors make a good case for Libertarian Paternalism. The book is well written and accessible to a wide audience.
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