The New Paternalism.

The article reports on the social and economic policy proposals of behavioral science and economics professor Richard H. Thaler and law and political science professor Cass R. Sunstein, both of the University of Chicago. Their idea of "libertarian paternalism," elaborated in their book "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness," is discussed. The policy implications of their research into how small alterations in people's environment can influence their behavior are explored.