Paternalismo libertário no Estado Democrático de Direito

Abstract

Although the Libertarian Theory provides a Justice conception in which the State can only act correctively, there is some difficulties to forward this theory in actual situations, since, according to behavioral economics analysis, the Law influences people behavior in such an unavoidable way, even without Law enforcement. The results presented by such researches criticize the notion of homo economicus itself, so important to Libertarianism. The trouble is however overruled when one takes in consideration the idea of Libertarian Paternalism, which lets the people behave in order to improve their welfare, according to their own standards, providing nevertheless their freedom to chose whatever they find to be the best for them. Thus, the Libertarian Paternalism doesn`t seem to deviate from Libertarianism at all, since, on one hand, although it advances the people`s welfare, on the other hand it doesn`t restrict their free will. In Brazil, it seems to be possible that the State intervene in a paternalistic way according to libertarian economic standards if it nudges the citizens in such a way as suggested by Eros Grau in his work.