History and the future: Looking back to look forward?
History is often dismissed as of little utility in the analysis of policy. This paper provides a justification for its use as evidence. It surveys the rise of the use of history, including public history and history and policy. It looks at two issues which draw on the author's own work: the relationship between regulation and culture for smoking and alcohol; and the response to electronic cigarettes in the light of smoking and public health history. It analyses what history can contribute. Responses are time dependent and change is an essential parameter in understanding policy. Historical research can challenge stereotypes, for example that prohibition was abandoned because it 'failed'. It also forms the bedrock of historical interpretation, which is mutable and often misunderstood outside the profession. History provides policy analysis rather than policy prescription and is a challenging approach, not just a convenient support for established positions. The paper concludes that history is far from moribund as a policy science.
Centre for History in Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Virginia.berridge@lshtm.ac.uk.
Virginia
V
Berridge
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000266:history; D005544:Forecasting; D040261:Harm Reduction; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D011050:Policy Making; D011640:Public Policy / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000074606:Smoking Prevention / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends
Alcohol; Drugs; Evidence; History; Policy; Smoking