TierneyLab is hosting a discussion of this odd concept, prompted by a new book on the subject of “Nudges,” which boils down to: non-binding directives issued by the government that strongly encourage a preferred behavior, while obscuring less preferred behaviors. One analogy given is prominently displaying fruit in a cafeteria, and keeping the chocolate cake on the down-low to encourage healthy eating.
The huge problem with the idea of “Libertarian Paternalism” is that true liberty thrives in a culture of choice. Reduce freedom to something that is technically allowed you in the fine print, while applying massive, top-down pressure to conform, and you reduce liberty to lip service.
Paternalism of any kind can never be a good thing for an adult human, or an adult culture. A paternalistic government infantilizes its citizens, by definition. Grown up cultures don’t need to be run by daddies or nannies.