Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.07.004
Volltext Akzeptiertes Manuskript
Titel (primär) When individual preferences defy sustainability - Can merit good arguments close the gap?
Autor Hoberg, N.; Strunz, S.
Quelle Ecological Economics
Erscheinungsjahr 2018
Department OEKON
Band/Volume 143
Seite von 286
Seite bis 293
Sprache englisch
Keywords Merit goods; Sustainability; Well-being
UFZ Querschnittsthemen RU6;
Abstract In this paper, we discuss how merit good arguments may contribute to discussions about sustainability. To this end, we clarify how merit good arguments deviate from individual preferences and relate the justification for deviations from individual preferences to two conceptions of well-being: an informed preference satisfaction and a perfectionist conception. Building on this framework, we analyze how merit good arguments can be helpful for discussing sustainability as justice, what challenges merit good arguments pose to future generations, and whether they can serve as a normative justification for green nudges. The analysis yields two main insights. First, a reflection on the concept of merit goods is helpful in sorting out the different justifications that sustainability interventions may rely on. In particular, it allows separating the challenges of redistribution, internalization of externalities and increasing individual consumption of particular (merit) goods such as health care or education more clearly. Second, the precise notion of merit goods by itself, however, only offers a limited contribution and does not represent a blank check to justify deviations from individual preferences.
dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=19022
Hoberg, N., Strunz, S. (2018):
When individual preferences defy sustainability - Can merit good arguments close the gap?
Ecol. Econ. 143 , 286 - 293 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.07.004