Reconceptualising the study of alcohol policy decision-making: the contribution of political science

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate the applicability of a 3-I (interests, institutions, and ideas) framework to alcohol policy research. The analysis uses literature from political science research to provide a core theoretical framework. To help illustrate the argument, we draw on relevant examples from alcohol policy in the UK as well as initial findings from an ongoing research study on minimum-unit pricing in Wales. The Welsh case study provides an opportunity to examine the value of the framework in generating testable hypotheses in alcohol policy research. We find that several interrelated factors promoted policy change in Wales, including the government's power to legislate on matters of public health (institutionally), a relatively weak alcohol industry (a key interest group), and a public health community with specific policy arguments on why and how to tackle alcohol-related harms (ideas). Our analysis has important implications for public health research and evidence-based policymaking. It suggests that the uptake of new ideas depends on the existing configuration of interests, institutions and ideas. This analysis provides alcohol policy researchers with a portable framework for analysing the policy context.

Coordination, framing and innovation: the political sophistication of public health advocates in Ireland

“…More broadly, our study illustrates how better engagement between policy analysis and alcohol research can generate insights for both research traditions. Policy theory can help alcohol researchers to identify the mechanisms underlying policy inertia and change, including coalition‐building and political learning [ 25 ]. This particular study also shows how alcohol policy developments can inform policy theory.…”

“…This study examines the public health advocacy community's efforts to promote the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill (hereafter, the Bill) in Ireland. Drawing upon concepts from policy studies [ 25 ] we identify different policy change mechanisms, including coalition‐building [ 26 ], issue‐framing [ 27 ] and political learning [ 9 , 28 ] (see Table 1 ). We then analyse these factors in the context of the policy debate in Ireland.…”

Waiting for the wave: Political leadership, policy windows, and alcohol policy change in Ireland

“…The findings presented also hold implications for the broader study of alcohol policy. Other countries such as England have recently contemplated ( Hawkins and McCambridge, 2019 ), or enacted population-level approaches to alcohol in Scotland and Wales ( Lesch and McCambridge, 2020 ; Katikireddi et al, 2014b ; Lesch and McCambridge, 2021c ). These developments reveal some cross-national patterns.…”

“…Its content comprehensively adopts key evidence-based measures, and it is world-leading in public health terms in addressing barriers arising from the cross-cutting nature of the policy problem ( Baggott, 2010 ). The other key barrier is alcohol industry involvement in policymaking, which exists widely elsewhere, particularly in other major alcohol producer countries ( Holden et al, 2012 ; Lesch and McCambridge, 2020 , 2021b ; McCambridge et al, 2013 , 2014 , 2018 ; Katikireddi et al, 2014a ).…”

Policy communities, devolution and policy transfer: The case of alcohol pricing in Wales

“…To date, alcohol policy researchers have focused on the industry's success in resisting evidence-based policies through framing ideas and involvements in policy processes (Babor and Robaina 2013;McCambridge, Mialon, and Hawkins 2018). This analysis demonstrates the importance of studying broader institutional contexts and focusing on the resulting policy outcomes (Lesch and McCambridge 2020), and identifying where industry actors are not well organized or embedded in policy networks.…”