The Politics of Evidence Based Policymaking identifies how to work with policymakers to maximize the use of scientific evidence. Policymakers cannot consider all evidence relevant to policy problems. They use two shortcuts: ‘rational’ ways to gather enough evidence, and ‘irrational’ decision-making, drawing on emotions, beliefs, and habits. Most scientific studies focus on the former. They identify uncertainty when policymakers have incomplete evidence, and try to solve it by improving the supply of information. They do not respond to ambiguity, or the potential for policymakers to understand problems in very different ways. A good strategy requires advocates to be persuasive: forming coalitions with like-minded actors, and accompanying evidence with simple stories to exploit the emotional or ideological biases of policymakers. 

“Paul Cairney’s book is timely, given recent lamentations about the ‘post-factual’ era, and fears that despite trends for ‘evidence-based policies’ on ‘what works’, policymakers seem to base decisions on anything but science. … Thoroughly referenced throughout, this book will prove instructive for social researchers hoping to influence policymaking, as well as for social policy and social research students.” (Berni Graham, SRA Research Matters, March, 2017)

Paul Cairney is Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling.  His research interests are in comparative public policy, including: comparisons of policy theories (Understanding Public Policy, 2012); outcomes in different countries (Global Tobacco Control, 2012), and UK and devolved policymaking (Scottish Politics, 2013).