For those interested in the evolving field of Behavioural Public Policy and the behind-the-scenes of policy making, check out the latest episode in the New Books Interpretive Political and Social Science series, hosted by Nick Cheesman!
In this episode, Sarah Ball discusses her book Behavioural Public Policy in Australia: How an Idea Became Practice (Routledge, 2024). Drawing on interviews and ethnographic research, Sarah reveals how a behavioural insights unit within the Australian public service grappled with defining facts, building expertise, and navigating contested understandings of “behavioural insights.” Max Weber famously noted that bureaucracy’s power lies in its accumulation of expert knowledge, and Sarah offers a unique perspective on how this power takes shape within public policy.
If you enjoy this conversation, you might also explore other episodes in the series, like Sarah Wiebe on Everyday Exposure and José Ciro Martínez on States of Subsistence.
Listen now to gain insights on the dynamics of knowledge, expertise, and policy making!