Cultural Shifts and Policy: How Government Actions Shape Social Behavior

Minh Trang Nguyen; Nhat Minh Pham

doi:10.18535/sshj.v8i12.1555

Abstract

Shaping social behavior through public policy is a basic yet complex process, necessitating a delicate balance between government intervention, societal norms, and individual rights. Policies are created to address a wide array of social issues, such as public health and safety, economic inequality, and environmental sustainability, in an attempt to influence societal behavior for the greater good. However, most of those policies are usually opposed by resistance to change, unintended consequences, and difficulties in enforcement. This paper examines some of the main challenges to the use of policy in designing social behavior: cultural resistance, policy misalignment with social realities, ethical concerns, and political opposition. In addition, it considers the need to consider long-term impacts on society, ensure resource allocation, and adapt policies to evolving needs. This paper reviews challenges in depth and consequently underlines the complexity of using policy to achieve behavior change; it underscores the need for thoughtful design, public engagement, and ongoing adaptation in the quest for successful outcomes from social policy.

Keywords

PolicyGovernment ActionsSocial Behavior

References

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[refR-2] Berger, N., & Fisher, P. (2013). A well-educated workforce is key to state prosperity. Economic Policy Institute, 22(1), 1-14.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Berkman, M. B., & Plutzer, E. (2010). Evolution, Creationism, and the Battle to Control America's Classrooms. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Bicchieri, C., Muldoon, R., & Sontuoso, A. (2011). Social norms.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Duong Lieu. (2023). Penalty for smoking in public places: 10 years and still difficult. https://tuoitre.vn/xu-phat-hut-thuoc-la-noi-cong-cong-10-nam-van-kho-20231214075358979.htmGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Eagly, A. H., & Kulesa, P. (1997). Attitudes, attitude structure, and resistance to change. Environmental ethics and behavior, 415, 122-153.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Foucault, M. (1991). Governmentality. In G. Burchell, C. Gordon, & P. Miller (Eds.), The Foucault Effect: Studies in Governmentality. University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Gunningham, N. (2009). Environment law, regulation and governance: Shifting architectures. Journal of Environmental law, 21(2), 179-212.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Gunningham, N., & Rees, J. (1997). Industry self‐regulation: an institutional perspective. Law & policy, 19(4), 363-414.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Harvard Kennedy School (2014). Nudging for Policy Success: Behavioral Insights in Action.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] HHS. (2023). New HHS Report Shows National Uninsured Rate Reached All-Time Low in 2023 After Record-Breaking ACA Enrollment Period.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Inglehart, R. (2020). Modernization and postmodernization: Cultural, economic, and political change in 43 societies. Princeton university press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Jacobs, A. M. (2011). Governing for the long term: Democracy and the politics of investment. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Jen Christensen. (2023). US cigarette smoking rate falls to historic low, but e-cigarette use keeps climbing, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/27/health/cigarette-smoking-decline/index.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Kettl, D. F. (2000). The transformation of governance: Globalization, devolution, and the role of government. Public administration review, 60(6), 488-497.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Lochner, L. (2020). Education and crime. In The economics of education (pp. 109-117). Academic Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Mettler, S. (2011). "Rediscovering the Submerged State: The Challenge of Invisible Government Policies." Perspectives on Politics, 9(3), 803–816.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Mitra, D. (2011). The social and economic benefits of public education. Pennsylvania State University, 3.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] National Cancer Policy Forum; Board on Health Care Services; Institute of Medicine (2013). SUCCESSFUL STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANTISMOKING EFFORTS. Reducing Tobacco-Related Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Workshop Summary. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK206882/Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] OECD (2021). Behavioural Insights and Public Policy: Lessons from Around the World. OECD Publishing.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Roots, R. I. (2004). When laws backfire: Unintended consequences of public policy. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(11), 1376-1394.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Schram, S. F., & Caterino, B. (Eds.). (2006). Making Political Science Matter: Debating Knowledge, Research, and Method. NYU Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Shokef, E., & Erez, M. (2006). Global work culture and global identity, as a platform for a shared understanding in multicultural teams. In National culture and groups (Vol. 9, pp. 325-352). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Smith, K. B., & Larimer, C. (2018). The public policy theory primer. Routledge.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Sunstein, C. R. (2013). "Behavioral Economics, Consumption, and Environmental Protection." Environmental Law Reporter.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Sunstein, C. R. (2016). The ethics of influence: Government in the age of behavioral science. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Tummers, L. (2019). Public policy and behavior change. Public Administration Review, 79(6), 925-930.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Penguin Books.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Varnum, M. E., & Grossmann, I. (2017). Cultural change: The how and the why. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 956-972.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Vermeule, A. (2004). The constitutional law of congressional procedure. The University of Chicago Law Review, 71(2), 361-437.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] World Bank (2015). World Development Report: Mind, Society, and Behavior.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] World Health Organization (WHO). (2013). WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Yee, A. S. (1996). The causal effects of ideas on policies. International organization, 50(1), 69-108.Google Scholar ↗