“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”
And so, in Pulp Fiction style, start the Irreverend podcasts. Their latest episode is with Lord Frost, who has described the lockdowns as a “serious policy error” and asked for an end to all “Covid theatre”. During this podcast he talks about Net Zero, Brexit, identity politics and free speech, as well as the pandemic.
I always enjoy the slow form, thoughtful approach the Irreverends take, but the reason I am sharing this episode with you is because because Lord Frost commented on nudge theory, and A State of Fear. It’s rare to hear politicians talk so honestly about the negative ramifications of behavioural science.
The Irreverends asked Lord Frost whether he agreed with the analysis in my book, in particular that nudge is fundamentally anti-democratic.
“I do. I wouldn’t go as far as she does in her book – it’s a bit over-egged – but I have never liked the behavioural psychology way of looking at things. Politicians’ job is to have ideas and persuade people of them, not to try and trick people into doing things that they think are in their interests, because who says it’s in their interest? You are imposing your value judgements on others, and you shouldn’t do that without debate, out in the open.”
The government was sort of scared that people wouldn’t obey and so they over-egged it [fear] and then they couldn’t pull back. It’s obviously gone in really deeply.”
Rev Thomas Pelham went on to make a very interesting point about “The Collect for the Sovereign prayer” in the Book of Common Prayer. Even though it was written in the time of absolute monarchy, there is acknowledgement that authority comes from the people. Today, our authority is invested in the government. Pelham made the point that the Nudge Unit inverts that authority and instead of the government being our servants they become our masters when they use nudge.
The whole podcast is worth a watch, but if you just want to listen to the section on nudge, it starts at 31:00.
And in case you are interested, the Irreverends interviewed me last June.
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Author Laura Dodsworth
