Policy Decisionmaking Models in Practice

A Case Study of the Western Australian “Sentencing Acts

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6329499
AutoresDominic O’sullivan (0000-0003-1696-1802), Deborah O''Sullivan, Deborah O'Sullivan, Barry Down (0000-0003-4843-0563)
Año2001
Volumen29
Número1
Páginas56-70
Fecha de publicación2001-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPolicy Studies Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0190-292X • E-ISSN: 1541-0072
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1541-0072.2001.tb02074.x
OpenAlexW1836375743
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas9

While there is an extensive body of literature on a range of policy decisionmaking models, there is a lack of supporting case studies about the lived experiences of policymakers and the usefulness of various decisionmaking models in practice. This article examines two traditional models of decisionmaking, namely crisis theory and the rational comprehensive model, to assess their strengths and limitations in explaining the introduction of the controversial Western Australian Crime (Serious and Repeat Offenders) Sentencing Act 1992 and the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1992 (the “Sentencing Acts”). We argue that the “Sentencing Acts” cannot easily be reduced to, or explained through, a single policy analysis model, as significant aspects of policy remain hidden. Finally, we contend that to understand the emergence of the Sentencing Acts requires an approach that can account for the interconnection between structural, agenda‐setting, and decisionmaking levels of analysis

Criminal justice · Criminology · Law and economics · Political science · Sociology · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Law