Open AccessPolicy windows and multiple streams: an analysis of alcohol pricing policy in England
Author(s) -
Benjamin Hawkins,
Jim McCambridge
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
policy and politics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.339
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1470-8442
pISSN - 0305-5736
DOI - 10.1332/030557319x15724461566370
Subject(s) - heuristic , spillover effect , politics , order (exchange) , streams , unit price , business , policy analysis , economics , political science , public administration , public economics , computer science , microeconomics , law , finance , computer network , artificial intelligence
This article adopts a multiple streams approach to examine the failure to implement minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in England. It demonstrates that the multiple streams model provides a valuable conceptual tool for explaining how and why policies are, and are not, enacted. However, it finds that while problem streams and policy streams are useful heuristic devices, in practice they may overlap and be mutually constitutive. The case of MUP also highlights the potential for policy spillover between jurisdictions and different policy contexts, showing both limits to, and the complex nature of, these processes. It shows the need for high level political commitment in order to implement controversial policies, even when they are backed by strong supporting evidence. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of civil society actors not just in bringing policy issues onto the agenda, but in supporting governments in adopting measures to address them.