Advancing Social Equity Through Nudging

In light of recent anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) challenges, policymakers may turn to behavioral science approaches to complement existing policies and develop alternatives to equity-focused initiatives that could be difficult to implement or pass into law. These approaches draw insights from psychology, economics, and other social sciences to understand and influence human behavior. Of these strategies, nudging, or subtle changes in choice architecture to influence behavior without restricting freedom of choice, may assist public administrators in advancing social equity by employing non-coercive strategies to overcome resistance and promote equity without legal mandates. The article presents literature on social equity and behavioral insights to identify how these nudges can be effectively tailored to different levels of government. It also examines how choice architects and policymakers can utilize nudges to promote a more just society through pro-self or pro-social nudges. The authors acknowledge that nudges alone cannot solve systemic inequities, but contend that when carefully designed and implemented transparently, they offer a pragmatic, lower-visibility option for advancing equity goals in public administration. Ultimately, this approach offers a practical alternative to rigid, legally mandated equity initiatives, providing policymakers with flexible methods to advance social equity in times when conventional DEI efforts face significant opposition.