"The different ways that social change happens, from unleashing to nudging to social cascades. "Sunstein's book is illuminating because it puts norms at the center of how we think about change."--David Brooks, The New York Times How does social change happen? When do social movements take off? Sexual harassment was once something that women had to endure; now a movement has risen up against it. White nationalist sentiments, on the other hand, were largely kept out of mainstream discourse; now there is no shortage of media outlets for them. In this book, with the help of behavioral economics, psychology, and other fields, Cass Sunstein casts a bright new light on how change happens. Sunstein focuses on the crucial role of social norms--and on their frequent collapse. When norms lead people to silence themselves, even an unpopular status quo can persist. Then one day, someone challenges the norm--a child who exclaims that the emperor has no clothes; a woman who says "me too." Sometimes suppressed outrage is unleashed, and long-standing practices fall. Sometimes change is more gradual, as "nudges" help produce new and different decisions--apps that count calories; texted reminders of deadlines; automatic enrollment in green energy or pension plans. Sunstein explores what kinds of nudges are effective and shows why nudges sometimes give way to bans and mandates. Finally, he considers social divisions, social cascades, and "partyism," when identification with a political party creates a strong bias against all members of an opposing party--which can both fuel and block social change."

Hardback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in fair all round condition suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket.

First published in 1981, this volume presents studies on the social psychology of the relations and conflicts between social groups. Henri Tajfel played a central role in the development of social psychology in Europe, both in his own research and in his sponsorship of other European research. He has been particularly influential through his publications on various aspects of inter-group behaviour and a good deal of what he has written remains dispersed in a large number of different publications. This book presents a synthesis of some of this work, edited and structured to demonstrate its continuity and its cumulative importance. The book will be indispensable for social psychologists and should interest a wide range of political and social scientists.