What Motivates Paternalism? An Experimental Study

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2021
Volume: 111
Issue: 3
Pages: 787-830

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study experimentally when, why, and how people intervene in others' choices. Choice Architects (CAs) construct opportunity sets containing bundles of time-indexed payments for Choosers. CAs frequently prevent impatient choices despite opportunities to provide advice, believing Choosers benefit. They violate common behavioral welfare criteria by removing impatient options even when all pay-offs are delayed. CAs intervene not by removing options they wish they could resist when choosing for themselves (mistakes-projective paternalism), but rather as if they seek to align others' choices with their own aspirations (ideals-projective paternalism). Laboratory choices predict subjects' support for actual paternalistic policies.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:111:y:2021:i:3:p:787-830
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24