Titled:   The state is looking after you

The Economist carries a disturbing article about the encroachment of government into the everyday lives and choices of its citizens. This newly-dubbed "soft paternalism" carries the promise of self-directed controls enforced by the state. Imagine contracting with the state to fine you if you visit donut shops more than once a week - or having to get a license to buy alcohol. Of course it would be voluntary... but then the most egregious infringements of our rights usually are... to start with.

An excerpt:

Most people would accept that a healthy diet is hard to achieve, financial matters are confusing and cigarettes kill too many. The state is tempted to step in, not only because of the harm that smokers, lushes, spendthrifts and gluttons may do to others, but because of the harm they are doing to themselves. In Scotland last month the government banned smoking in offices, restaurants and pubs. In Massachusetts, the state legislature has passed a bill requiring everyone who can afford to buy health insurance to do so, on pain of higher taxes.

This is hard paternalism. The softer sort is about nudging people to do things that are in their best interests. The purest form involves setting up systems for sinners to reform themselves: in Missouri for instance, some 10,000 compulsive gamblers have banned themselves from riverboat casinos; if they succumb to their habit (and are caught) they face tough punishments. In most cases, though, soft paternalism means the government giving people a choice, but skewing the choice towards the one their better selves would like to make.

Be wary - very wary.