The Economics of Paternalism, EconTalk Permanent Podcast Link: Library of Economics and Liberty

September 18, 2006, Featuring Edward Glaeser

Economist Ed Glaeser of Harvard University talks with host Russ Roberts about the dangers of soft paternalism--various forms of government regulation that fall short of outright bans or taxes but that are meant to correct alleged flaws in the choices we make. Glaeser argues that while individuals do inevitably make mistakes, so do politicians, and the concentration of power in the hands of the few makes government "benevolence" particularly dangerous.

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Readings and Links related to this podcast

Podcast Readings HIDE READINGS
By Ed Glaeser: "Paternalism and Psychology", online. University of Chicago Law Review. Condensed version, "Paternalism and Psychology". Regulation. "Psychology and the Market". Discussion Paper, Harvard Institute of Economic Research. Definitions of soft and hard paternalism: "The New Paternalism". The Economist. Summary of basic concepts. "Libertarian Paternalism". Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, American Economic Review, 2003. (JStor subscription required--accessible at most university libraries.) History of Thought: "The Secret History of the Dismal Science". David Levy and Sandra Peart, 2001. Econlib "Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual". John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, Chapter 4. The Wealth of Nations. Adam Smith.

Podcast Readings

By Ed Glaeser:

"Paternalism and Psychology", online. University of Chicago Law Review.
Condensed version, "Paternalism and Psychology". Regulation.
"Psychology and the Market". Discussion Paper, Harvard Institute of Economic Research.

Definitions of soft and hard paternalism:

"The New Paternalism". The Economist. Summary of basic concepts.
"Libertarian Paternalism". Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, American Economic Review, 2003. (JStor subscription required--accessible at most university libraries.)

History of Thought:

"The Secret History of the Dismal Science". David Levy and Sandra Peart, 2001. Econlib
"Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual". John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, Chapter 4.
The Wealth of Nations. Adam Smith.

Featured Speakers and Categories: Edward Glaeser on Regulation

Posted by Russ Roberts

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