# What Motivates Paternalism? An Experimental Study

Authors: Sandro Ambuehl; B. Douglas Bernheim; Axel Ockenfels
Venue: American Economic Review, 2021, 111(3): 787-830
Year: 2021
Source: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.20191039
PDF: https://sandroambuehl.com/assets/papers/what-motivates-paternalism.pdf
Plain text version: https://sandroambuehl.com/assets/plain-text/what-motivates-paternalism.tex
LaTeX source bundle: https://sandroambuehl.com/assets/plain-text/what-motivates-paternalism.tex
Appendix: https://sandroambuehl.com/assets/papers/what-motivates-paternalism-appendix.pdf
Replication package: https://doi.org/10.3886/E120765V1

## Abstract

We study experimentally when, why, and how people intervene in others' choices. Choice Architects construct opportunity sets containing bundles of time-indexed payments for Choosers. Choice Architects 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 payoffs are delayed.
Choice Architects 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.

## Additional Links