Global Agenda in Social Sciences, Global Studies, Aydın Murat,Şiriner İsmail,Koç Şevket Alper, Editör, IJOPEC Publication, London, ss.459-492, 2022
One of the fundamental assumptions of neoclassical economics has been the utility maximization of individuals by taking
rational decisions and longing for their own interests. On the contrary, behavioral economics stresses that utility maximization
of individuals is affected by several factors such as cognitive boundaries, prejudices, routines, decision-making
mechanisms, uncertainty and complexity. These factors also make it difficult for individuals to make decisions. Thus, behavioral
economics proposed that ‘nudging’ could be a way of increasing individuals’ life quality, with their decisions being
adjusted in a good direction. Moving from the idea that individuals cannot be rational every time, the aim of this
chapter is to discuss pros and cons of applying libertarian paternalism in the public sphere of economy, health and taxation
by conducting a literature review. Therefore, by emphasizing different public policies, this chapter contribute to the
existing literature by increasing the decision-making ability of individuals.