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Commentary
Geography, libertarian paternalism and neuro-politics in the UK
Article first published online: 21 MAY 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4959.2012.00469.x
© 2012 The Authors. The Geographical Journal © 2012 Royal Geographical Society(with the Institute of British Geographers)
Additional Information
How to Cite
Whitehead, M., Jones, R., Pykett, J. and Welsh, M. (2012), Geography, libertarian paternalism and neuro-politics in the UK. The Geographical Journal, 178: 302–307. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4959.2012.00469.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 NOV 2012
- Article first published online: 21 MAY 2012
- This paper was accepted for publication in April 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- nudge;
- libertarian;
- paternalism
This Commentary explores what the implications of the emergence of a putative ‘nudgeocracy’, and associated forms of neurologically-infused policy development, mean for human geographical research. Drawing on a 3-year research project into the rise of libertarian paternalism within the British polity, and our involvement in the recent House of Lords Behaviour Change Inquiry (House of Lords 2011 Behaviour change report[HL paper 179] Stationary Office, London), we argue that geographical research can make important contributions to the wider political and philosophical debates surrounding soft paternalist society.