Nudge nudge, wink wink" is a phrase we associate with something a bit dodgy, more innuendo than straight talking. Perhaps thaf s why I'm so suspicious of the Coalition's enthusiasm for 'nudge' as a policy. I recently attended a lunch at which one of its chief proponents, Professor Richard Thaler, was speaking, having been given star treatment earlier in the month when he was invited to Downing Street. The American economist seemed surprised that as a vocal critic of the nanny state, I wouldn't embrace his alternative to the bossy 'Big state'.
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