Disastrous Explanations - or Explanations of Disaster? A Reply to Patrick Dunleavy

Abstract

This article will propose a detailed definition of "policy disaster" whose use makes the UK's recent record seem considerably less "disastrous" than a recent article by Patrick Dunleavy has suggested. It will also show that policy disasters occur widely throughout Europe. The article will then apply contrasting perspec tives to an analysis of Britain's best known disaster (The Poll Tax) to illustrate how viewpoint prejudices conclusions as to the causes of disasters. Finally, the article will suggest that policy disasters are potentially extremely valuable as a source of policy learning, but they also present special obstacles in realising that potential.