By Juan Camilo Cárdenas Disappearing forests. Overfishing. Chronic water shortages. These are all major challenges for economists in a 21st century of population pressures and climate change. Thankfully, they also have new tools. Economists used to think of people as overwhelmingly rational and self-interested, driven above all to maximize their short-term material … [Read more...] about What Behavioral Economics Reveals About Sharing and Cooperation
Social Issues
Leveraging Behavioral Science for Savings and Health
Alexandra De Filippo is a principal advisor at the North American division of The Behavioral Insights Team (BIT), an organization widely known as the "Nudge Unit." Since its inception, BIT has used behavioral science in wide-ranging efforts that include, among many others, increasing tax collection and electoral participation rates, boosting organ donation and reducing medical … [Read more...] about Leveraging Behavioral Science for Savings and Health
The Surprisingly Negative Impact of Domestic Violence Campaigns
By Jorge M. Agüero Few efforts could be more important for Latin America and the Caribbean than ending the scourge of domestic violence. The region has the world's second highest rate of violence against women by partners or ex-partners and shockingly high levels of femicides, involving the killing of women because of their gender. The good news is that many countries … [Read more...] about The Surprisingly Negative Impact of Domestic Violence Campaigns
Some Economists Say We're Less Selfish Than We Think. Why?
Ask anyone in a Western society what makes the world go round, and they are likely to say selfishness, or at least self-interest. It is an idea drilled into us by Thomas Hobbes more than three hundred years ago and by Adam Smith, who argued for the benefits of self-interest in economic progress. It seems more than obvious in our dog-eat-dog world. But psychology and … [Read more...] about Some Economists Say We’re Less Selfish Than We Think. Why?
How Better Ambient and Street Lighting Reduces Crime
When a evening stroll to the corner store or a neighbor's house feels treacherous; when communities feel besieged by burglars, pickpockets, and muggers; it is tempting to call for stricter and more severe jail sentences. Locking up criminals, after all, gets them off the street. It is one reason why there has been a popular drive towards greater incarceration in Latin America … [Read more...] about How Better Ambient and Street Lighting Reduces Crime