‘Wicked problems’: The social conundrum presented by public drinking laws

Abstract

Aims: Drawing on Lipsky's analysis of the dilemmas faced by street-level bureaucrats, this article explores the views of local council officers and police in Melbourne, Australia, in relation to the development and enforcement of public drinking laws [Lipsky, M. (1980). Street level bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the individual in public spaces. New York: Russell Sage Foundation].Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 local council officers and 6 police officers. Narratives were analysed thematically.Findings: Two divergent narratives underpinned the construction of public drinking laws. First, public drinking laws were supported by some council and police officers because they enabled the maintenance of public order and maximized perceptions of safety among residents. Second, public drinking laws were contested by some council and police officers due to concerns about discrimination of socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and confliction with personal ideologies of social equality.Conclusions: In social policy, there are often competing interests and ideologies and very often no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ solutions. Council officers and police attempt to negotiate the expectations of their professional role, their personal ideologies, and various impacts to the community, while also attempting to maintain the status quo, minimize social exclusion and maximize public order. In this respect, public drinking laws present a complex social conundrum for council officers and police.

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