Behavioral economics in evidence: the use of nudges in the policy of children and drugs

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the application of nudges in two public policies implemented in the state of Alagoas: the policy for children and adolescents and on drugs. From a behavioural perspective, we used a documental analysis of the work plans that govern the execution of the project as well as of the legal documents that regulate the functioning of the programme studied, in order to understand the application of this extension of behavioural economics in a equipping programme aimed at a child and adolescent care agency and in the project aimed at sheltering adolescents in a drug addiction situation. From the analysis, it was found that the nudges are applied in both contexts, with the objective of interfering in the choice architecture of individuals in view of a social welfare through the actions of each individual. It is concluded on the possibility of using mechanisms of behavioral economics in the context of public policy, despite the possible lack of awareness of the policy maker who adopts this type of behavioral change in the target audience.