The rise and fall of the ‘nudge’ of minimum unit pricing: The continuity of neoliberalism in alcohol policy in England

Abstract

This article explores the continuities in alcohol policy over the past decade under both Labour and Coalition governments. It is argued that these continuities reflect a neoliberal mentality of government whereby market mechanisms are maintained even when the outcomes produced are deemed undesirable. Policies to address these outcomes have focused on the individual citizen, conceived of as a potentially rational decision-maker. If exhortations to behave in the desired fashion do not reap results then measures are targeted at specific individuals or groups of individuals considered flawed consumers. The continuity is examined in light of recent commentary that has identified a trend in policy-making reflecting a loss of confidence in individual rationality and market outcomes, described variously as post-liberalism or neocommunitarianism. It is suggested that the stability of the broader underlying structures of thought that circumscribe contemporary policy discussions should not be underestimated.

The Consumption, Production and Regulation of Alcohol in the UK: The Relevance of the Ambivalence of the Carnivalesque

“…Generally, such work has identified a neoliberal mentality of government that can be seen as circumscribing successive governments' approaches to regulation through planning and licensing policy, for example (e.g. Haydock, 2014;Hobbs et al, 2005). Shaw (2010) has argued that much analysis of the neoliberal NTE has somewhat failed to adequately engage with how drinkers actively negotiate these spaces and associated pressures (see also Jayne et al, 2006).…”

“…Although a key element of neoliberalism is the model of the ideal citizen as a rational consumer, there can be debate about what actions are considered rational and acceptable. A neoliberal perspective, with its emphasis on rational self-discipline, might view many forms of alcohol consumption as problematic, for the long-term health effects as well as the immediate intoxication (Haydock, 2014). Successive governments have drawn attention to 'binge' drinking as problematic.…”

The ‘civilising’ effect of a ‘balanced’ night-time economy for ‘better people’: class and the cosmopolitan limit in the consumption and regulation of alcohol in Bournemouth

“…Where classical liberalism might respect the outcomes of the free market, neoliberalism retains clear preferences about the outcomes of structures (Haydock, 2014), with these preferences dependent on local contexts (Kingfisher & Maskovsky, 2008).…”

A döntési helyzetek tudatos tervezésének háttere. A nudge fogalma, módszerei és kritikái

“…Az ilyen mechanizmusok viszont kétségtelenül nagyon hatásosak tudnak lenni. Haydock (2014) például megjegyzi, hogy az alkoholtermékek minimum árának meghatározásával az angol egészségvédelmi politika egyre bátrabban nyúl ezekhez az eszközökhöz.…”