Abstract:

The nudge theory is one of the important tools used by both public policy practitioners and the academic community in order to guide individuals' behaviors, preferences and decisions in a predictable way. However the nudge theory has also so many criticisms about. There is a lack of awareness of people for related guidance and also a power inequity. Related these two circumstances there is a risk of manipulation and also there is a possibility of limiting the freedom of individuals right for not to choose or to make mistakes. As a result of these criticisms there are also alternative approaches to nudge theory in academic field. The origin of this article is one of these alternative approaches called Budge Theory which is firstly suggested by Adam Oliver. The budge theory suggests to policy makers to focus on the behaviors of public sector which is on the supply side of the economy instead of the individuals who are the demand side of the economy. It recommends that private sector actions be regulated in the light of behavioral principles. The aim of this article is to examine the Energy Labeling application in effect in Turkey according to these predictions. The study revealed the behavioral principles applied in the preferences of the colors used on the energy labels, the change in the energy classification, the time of the change.

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