Some political and social implications of later closing

Abstract

This thesis is an exercise in policy analysis. It is concerned with measuring the effects of a major political decision, the September 1967 referendum on later closing of licensed premises. The justification for this kind of analysis, now the subject of a growing literature overseas See, for example, Y. Dror, Public Policymaking Reexamined (San Francisco: Chandler, 1968) and J.M. Mitchell and W.C. Mitchell, Political Analysis and Public Policy: An Introduction to Political Science (Chicago: Rand McNally, 1969)., is that by analysing policy outcomes (or outputs) one is better able to evaluate decision-making procedures. Moreover, the detailed examination of policy outcomes in major areas of policy can contribute to more informed decision-making in these areas. This study has both of these considerations in view. On the one hand it is intended to throw light on the adequacy of the referendum procedure as a device of decision-making. On the other hand it is intended to examine the referendum decision as a significant decision in the area of licensing reform and to assess as precisely as possible the effects which can be attributed to this decision and those attributable to other factors. It is hoped that this exercise will enable future consideration of changes in the area of liquor licensing to be better informed and less subject to speculation.