Morality analysis: Reducing moral backlash to public policy

Abstract

Widely used policy development processes rarely systematically consider differing moral values, which can lead to overlooked risks, ineffective communications and suboptimal policy design. This article introduces morality analysis, a policy tool that draws on moral foundations theory to optimize policy and program design, build public support for policies and present key advice to decisionmakers. Morality analysis is used to examine the case of a controversial vaccination incentive program introduced by the Government of Alberta in late 2021 and identify policy options that would likely have prompted less public backlash. This article suggests that morality analysis should supplement the policy analysis toolkit. SommaireLes processus d'élaboration de politiques très souvent utilisés tiennent rarement compte des valeurs morales divergentes, ce qui entraîne la négligence des risques, des communications inefficaces et une conception des politiques sous-optimale. Cet article présente l'analyse de la moralitéun outil politique qui repose sur la théorie des fondements morauxdans le but d'optimiser la conception des politiques et des programmes, de renforcer le soutien du public aux politiques et d'offrir d'importants conseils aux décideurs. L'analyse de la moralité est utilisée