Douglas Glen Whitman is a contemporary American economist and political philosopher associated with libertarian and public choice traditions. He is best known for his critical analysis of behavioral economics and soft paternalism, arguing that nudge-style interventions rest on contested empirical and normative assumptions. His work bridges economics and philosophy of policy, examining the limits of government intervention justified by behavioral research.
Co-authored 'Escaping Paternalism: Rationality, Behavioral Economics, and Public Policy' (with Mario Rizzo), a sustained critique of nudge theory
Developed systematic objections to 'asymmetric paternalism' in policy design
Applied public goods theory to contested resource allocation scenarios
Contributed to the slippery slope literature in political philosophy and economics