Politics 2

Question 1

What did politics have to do with the progress, success or failure of the RD (responsibility deal) policy?

Answer 1

• politicians have the power to give grants for fundings (education and businesses)
• people made relationships with politicians
• individual approach rather than population approach as did not want to reduce sells =. this opposes minimum unit pricing which is against profit

Question 2

Why was Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) favoured by the public health bodies?

Answer 2

• drink related harm yearly cost is 20 billion
• good for health
• allow distribution of funding elsewhere if they could tackle problem and reduce spending on it
• address alcohol related problems which reduces burden on healthcare system

Question 3

Should the public health bodies have persevered in their relationship with RD?

Answer 3

government had relationship with industry/stakeholders so industry were very powerful

• royal colleges withdrew support of policy then public health bodies (public health England) withdrew
• should have fought harder to be there as it is relevant to them
• were not listened to and so withdrew to not be part of something they did not believe in

Question 4

What is the responsibility of government in the context of alcohol policy?

Answer 4

depends on political view on how much control state has over us

Question 5

Define Tame problem

Answer 5

Tame problem
Can be simple or complex, but is prone to being solved by a process of linear solution.
We are typically trained to take a problem-solving approach that will, for the most part, work for these…
They require a plan…

Question 6

Define wicked problem

Answer 6

Wicked problem
Is complex and complicated by multiple competing drivers, interests, uncertainty and possible competing solutions
Many public policy issues and social protection issues (including health care) are examples of this.
They require a strategy…

Question 7

4 actions of governements alcohol strategy coallition

Answer 7

There were broadly four areas of action…
National action on price, advertising and availability
Local action on licensing, enforcement and antisocial behaviour
Industry responsibility drive
Supporting for consumer information and individual behaviour change / treatment services

Question 8

stakeholder analysis

Answer 8

Power (high, moderate, low)
Interest (high, moderate, low)
Support (for, against)

Question 9

stakeholder analysis for policy change

Answer 9

Power (high, moderate, low)
Interest (high, moderate, low)
Support (for, against)

focus our efforts on the most influential stakeholders

those with most power and interest manage most thoroughly

those with most power : Anticipate and meet needs

those with most interest: Keep completely
informed

those with least interest and power - regular minimal contact

Question 10

monetary disincentives

Answer 10

tax eg. sugar tax

Question 11

Strategic plan to policy change

Answer 11

Monetary disincentives - increase prices eg. sugar tax
controlling media 
education 
communicate evidence based medicine 
Understand other peoples opinion
powerful stakeholders who are interested