Manipulation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, What to Do about It

New technologies are offering companies, politicians, and others unprecedented opportunity to manipulate us. Sometimes we are given the illusion of power - of freedom - through choice, yet the game is rigged, pushing us in specific directions that lead to less wealth, worse health, and weaker democracy. In, Manipulation, nudge theory pioneer and New York Times bestselling author, Cass Sunstein, offers a new definition of manipulation for the digital age, explains why it is wrong; and shows what we can do about it. He reveals how manipulation compromises freedom and personal agency, while threatening to reduce our well-being; he explains the difference between manipulation and unobjectionable forms of influence, including 'nudges'; and he lifts the lid on online manipulation and manipulation by artificial intelligence, algorithms, and generative AI, as well as threats posed by deepfakes, social media, and 'dark patterns, ' which can trick people into giving up time and money. Drawing on decades of groundbreaking research in behavioral science, this landmark book outlines steps we can take to counteract manipulation in our daily lives and offers guidance to protect consumers, investors, and workers.

Author: Cass R. Sunstein
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 08/28/2025
Pages: 219
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.60w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781009620215

About the Author
Sunstein, Cass R.: - Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard. The most cited law professor in the world, he is the founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. In 2018, he received the Holberg Prize from the government of Norway, sometimes described as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for law and the humanities. During the Obama Administration, he served as Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. He is author of hundreds of articles and dozens of books, including several New York Times bestsellers.