Reconciling the liberal tradition in normative economics with the findings of behavioural economics: on J.S. Mill, libertarian paternalism and Robert Sugden’s <i>The Community of Advantage</i>

In The Community of Advantage, Robert Sugden reconstructs and defends an account the liberal tradition (LT) in normative economics light findings Behavioural Economics (BE). this paper, LT neo-classical welfare which has roots J.S. Mill’s thought is contrasted with Sugden’s account. Cass Sunstein Richard Thaler’s Libertarian Paternalism (LP) arguably attempts to reconcile BE provide it a Millian pedigree. To extent that this, LP unsuccessful. While abandons core elements traditional – notably ‘view from nowhere’, welfarism preference satisfaction view have pedigree advances contractarian alternative, he successfully reconciles his reconstruction also provides sound