Lina Eriksson: "Ethical Problems of Governing Through Social Norms"

Lina Eriksson, University of Gothenburg: "Ethical Problems of Governing Through Social Norms"

Abstract
Policy makers increasingly make use of social norms to influence people’s behaviour. Various social norms campaigns inform citizens about what others do, what others think people should do, etc. But these strategies give rise to some ethical concerns. Firstly, the lack of control over sanctions against norm violators: there is no process for judging what counts as non-compliance or what sanctions are appropriate, and no process for appealing sanctions. Secondly, people’s autonomy might be undermined, for example through manipulation and fear tactics. Thirdly, the strategy might distribute the burdens of behavioural change unfairly. Finally, some social norms campaigns target already vulnerable groups in problematic ways. Policy makers attracted to the prospect of using social norms to influence people’s behaviour should also pay close to attention to the particular ways in which this can be ethically problematic.