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Richard thaylor is a distinguished service professor of behavior science and economics at the university of chicago's graduate school of business. He has made extensive contributions to our understanding and behavior, challenging the traditional model of rational choice. In two thousand and three with his colleague, casunstein, he wrote provocative articles defending what the authors call libertarian paternalism. And in a recent episode of econ talk edward glazer was critical of thaylor’s ideas.

Richard Thaler of the U. of Chicago Graduate School of Business defends the idea of libertarian paternalism--how government might use the insights of behavioral economics to help citizens make better choices. Host Russ Roberts accepts the premise that individuals make imperfect choices but challenges Thaler on the likelihood that government, in practice, will improve matters. Along the way they discuss the design of Sweden's social security system, organ donations and whether professors at Cornell University are more or less like you and me.