“Irrational choices” that shape history . A Behavioural Economic Approach for the Brexit-Trump Syndrome

Abstract

Behavioural economics has emerged as a new field in economics allowing to rethink rational expectations. This research’s hypothesis, however, is that advancements in understanding human behaviour come also with its dangers. To test the hypothesis, the cases of 2016 Brexit Referendum and 2016 US Presidential Election are analysed. The results show proof of the existence of behavioural economics tools that were intentionally targeted to undermine rational decision-making . By so doing, this thesis raises awareness of the need to regulate such practices, as well as helps open the debate on the ethics to be followed by such regulation.