• Table of Contents
    • Abstract
    • Keywords
    • Article
      • Background: the neoclassical approach to public economics
      • The behavioural approach to public economics
      • Behavioural policy analysis
      • Example: addiction policy
      • Example: savings policy
      • Behavioural public economics circa 2006
    • See Also
    • Bibliography
    • How to cite this article

behavioural public economics

B. Douglas Bernheim and Antonio Rangel
From The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, Second Edition, 2008
Edited by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume
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Abstract

Behavioural public economics incorporates ideas from behavioural economics, psychology, and neuroscience in the analysis and design of public policies. This article provides an introduction to its methods and discusses its application to savings and addiction policy.
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Keywords

addiction; behavioural public economics; budget constraints; compulsory saving; default options; imperfect decision processes; intertemporal choice; lump-sum taxes; myopia; neoclassical public economics; neuroscience; Pigouvian taxes; psychology and economics; tax incentives for saving; well-being
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Article

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How to cite this article

Douglas Bernheim, B. and Antonio Rangel. "behavioural public economics." The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Second Edition. Eds. Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics Online. Palgrave Macmillan. 24 May 2013 <http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_B000331> doi:10.1057/9780230226203.0119

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