How economic experiences affect support for democracy and the limitations of behavioral nudges
Facty Friday #4
Economic experiences in early adulthood affect long-term support for democracy
A new study analyzed the extent to which economic experiences in early adulthood (ages 18-28) affect long-term support for democracy. Using data from ninety-seven countries, the study finds that living in an economically strong democracy in early adulthood increases support for democracy throughout the rest of an individual’s life, whereas living in an economically strong autocracy in early adulthood decreases support for democracy. This study shows how citizens evaluate political systems based on the tangible benefits they associate with that system and points to early adulthood as the key time when citizens make those associations.
Behavioral “nudge” interventions may be ineffective at changing behavior
Three new studies cast doubt on the ability of behavioral nudge interventions to substantially affect behavior and solve major social and economic problems. The first study analyzed over 200 nudge interventions and found no overall effect of nudges after accounting for publication bias. The second analyzed 126 RCTs run by government Nudge Units and found small but statistically significant effects that justify the small cost of nudge interventions. The third, citing the small effects of most nudge interventions, concluded that more substantial “systems-level” interventions are needed to solve major social and economic issues. Individual-level behavioral interventions are likely part of solving major issues, but these studies suggest that behavioral nudges alone are unlikely to generate substantial behavioral changes because nudges do not change the costs and benefits of any individual’s decisions.
Do you have a study we should share for a future Facty Friday? Send an email to drg.el@usaid.gov!