‘Superpolicies’ and ‘policy-omnishambles’

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Policymaking in some areas such as public health or ecological sustainability, are particularly challenging because they require cross-governmental coherence in approach. This paper aims to develop a heuristic means of understanding such policy challenges. Study design Theoretical development. Methods We developed a policy heuristic through theoretical discussions amongst the authors and then illustrated this across health, equity and sustainability outcomes. Results We propose two heuristics to illustrate the two extremes in such policymaking scenarios. First, ‘superpolicies’, which achieve positive impacts across a wide range of outcomes beyond the primary policy target. And second, ‘policy-omnishambles’, which have negative impacts across a wide range of outcomes, including even the primary policy target. We illustrate superpolicies and policy-omnishambles here across just three outcomes: health, equity and sustainability. However, this approach could and should be developed further to encompass a wide range of outcome areas and it would be possible to develop comprehensive impact assessment techniques to identify those policies most and least likely to have wide ranging positive impacts. Conclusions Prioritising the development and implementation of superpolicies, and avoiding policy-omnishambles, are now urgent in the current era of ecological crisis.