Cass R. Sunstein

Former Bloomberg Opinion Columnist

Cass R. Sunstein is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the author of “The Cost-Benefit Revolution” and a co-author of “Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness.”

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Anti-Trump March for Truth Protestors Rally Across The U.S.

Bloomberg Opinion

The Free Speech Debate About Social Media Is Broken

Our broad protections of the right to lie rest on an inadequate understanding of human psychology.

February 7, 2021

February 7, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

The Free Speech Debate About Social Media Is Broken

Our broad protections of the right to lie rest on an inadequate understanding of human psychology.

Anti-Trump March for Truth Protestors Rally Across The U.S.

February 2, 2021

February 2, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Biden’s Faith in Behavioral Science Will Pay Off

A government tool that could help speed up vaccine compliance and reduce red tape.

Californians Lineup For Covid-19 Vaccines As State Lifts Lockdown Restrictions

January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Trump Judges Won’t Be Biden’s Highest Legal Hurdle

Democratic and Republican jurists will both insist that the benefits of new regulations outweigh costs and that their impact won’t be too disruptive.

President Biden Outlines His Racial Equity Agenda

January 26, 2021

January 26, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Biden Climate Regulation Is About to Get Tougher

By preparing to raise a key metric called the “social cost of carbon,” the president signaled that more stringent emissions rules are just around the corner.

The Coal Miner Makes a Comeback in America

January 22, 2021

January 22, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Biden Chooses a Pragmatic Path for Regulation

His endorsement of rule-making cost-benefit analysis comes with an extra emphasis on fairness and human dignity.

Close-Up Of Sign In Clothespins On Wooden Table

January 21, 2021

January 21, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Was the Capitol Riot Sedition? Just Read the Law

Yes, the concept has a grim legal history and is often abused. Still, it’s a legitimate charge if carefully drawn.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-ELECTION-TRUMP

January 19, 2021

January 19, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Can Ex-Presidents Be Impeached? No. Convicted? Yes.

The U.S. Constitution doesn’t give a direct answer to either question. Trump won’t like the best indirect one.

President Trump Departs White House For Campaign Rally In Pennsylvania

January 17, 2021

January 17, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

How Government Should Regulate Social Media Lies

The First Amendment leaves enough room to deter and punish dangerous falsehoods.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-COMPUTERS-INTERNET-TWITTER

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Trump and the Capitol Mob: The Science of Unleashing

Behavioral research helps show how this president brought simmering private resentments to a public boil.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-ELECTION-TRUMP

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Not Convicted or Indicted? Trump Can Pardon You Anyway

The Supreme Court authorized preemptive presidential pardons in the 19th century. But there’s an important caveat.

Gerald and Betty Ford Family Photos

January 8, 2021

January 8, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Trump Can’t Pardon Himself

James Madison and his colleagues laid out the limits to this presidential power in 1787. Also: “No one may be judge in his own cause.”

US-POLITICS-TRUMP-TURKEY

January 7, 2021

January 7, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Does the 25th Amendment Apply to Trump? Quite Possibly

The U.S. Constitution lays out a process for removing impaired presidents from office. But it doesn’t define impairment.

Republican National Convention: Day Four

January 6, 2021

January 6, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Democrats’ Edge May Be Tiny, But Its Power Is Huge

I worked in the White House when my party controlled Congress, and when it didn’t. Here’s the difference.

President Obama Speaks At Clean Energy Summit In Las Vegas

January 4, 2021

January 4, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Vice President Pence Can Preside But Not Decide

When Congress counts electoral votes on Wednesday, he can play no more than a ceremonial role. That’s the law.

US-POLITICS-ECONOMY-BUDGET-BIDEN

January 4, 2021

January 4, 2021

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Five Ways the EPA Can Get Its Spirit Back

After the Trump administration’s rollbacks, a demoralized agency needs to set concrete goals and move fast.

Birds fly across the sky at daybreak ove

December 28, 2020

December 28, 2020

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Best Movies and TV of 2020 If You Love Behavioral Economics

“Mank” can teach us a lesson in “reactance.” “Tenet” is all about “noise.”

Woman's Day Celebrates 17th Annual Red Dress Awards - Inside

December 23, 2020

December 23, 2020

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Defamation Law Can Slow the Plague of Fake News

Challenging falsehoods about voting machines is a good place to start.

"Stop The Steal" Rally Held By Pro-Trump Demonstrators In Minnesota

December 22, 2020

December 22, 2020

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

What Biden’s Good Climate Plan Is Missing So Far

A “green by default” option for consumers is working in California and Germany.

U.S. Existing-Home Sales Surged In July By Most On Record

December 14, 2020

December 14, 2020

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

Undoing One Trump Regulation May Divide Democrats

Obama was a fan of cost-benefit analysis. Some in his party are not.

US-POLITICS

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

OpinionCass R. Sunstein

‘Safe Harbor’ Day Was a Definitive Rebuke of Trump

You can stop doomscrolling about the meeting of electors on Dec. 14.

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