I like very much Thaler and Sunstein’s book Nudge. The basic theme of the book is Liberal Paternalism, which is broadly speaking (the way I understand it) creating environment in which individuals can make the right choices. Liberal Paternalism should by no means limit individual’s choices.
New move by number of Japanese railway companies is a beautiful example of Liberal Paternalism. The company is installing blue lights on platforms, the blue color should have a calming effect and so prevent people from committing suicides by jumping under arriving trains!
Note that the company rejected building fences around the platforms, leaving people with the option of actually jumping! (I guess the fences would have to have some gates, for people to actually get to a train. I don’t know the details.)
I am not sure whether Liberal Paternalism was on East Japan Railways’ mind when choosing blue lights over fences, but it fits perfectly.
People are nudged to live while still having an option to commit a suicide!
Great site I