How Regulations Can Create Problems: An Examination of Misdirected “Nudge”

Policymakers and the public trust agencies to use regulations to solve real world problems.  Yet as the number and scope of regulations increases, more questions arise about the degree to which more regulation is solving problems or creating them.

One trend that is drawing scrutiny is the expanding use of “nudge” regulations. “Nudge” regulations focus on preventing people from making so-called “bad” decisions that may harm themselves, like over-eating or buying less energy efficient appliances. The subjective nature of what can be labeled as a “bad” decision means that the potential scope of “nudge” regulations is unlimited.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University invites you to join Todd Zywicki, Senior Scholar and Senior Fellow with the F.A. Hayek Program at the Mercatus Center and Ted Gayer, Vice President and Director of the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution for a Regulation University program that examines the mistakes agencies make in developing “nudge” regulations and the unintended, but foreseeable, consequences of those mistakes.

Space is limited. Please register online for this event.

This event is free and open to all congressional and federal agency staff. This event is not open to the general public. Food will be provided. Due to space constraints, please no interns. Questions? Please contact Caitlyn Van Orden, Event Associate, at cvanorden@mercatus.gmu.edu or (703) 993-4925.