Power, morality and policy: a comparative analysis of approaches to novel psychoactive substances in Britain and Poland

Purpose Comparative policy analysis has become a popular tool for comparing policy developments and outcomes in different contexts. This paper compares policy responses to novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in two cases, Poland and Britain. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on frameworks from Habermas, Stevens and Zampini, this paper compares NPS policy developments in both countries, focusing on the roles of morality and power. The analysis is based on 33 qualitative interviews with senior police officers, academics, ministers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) workers and other relevant stakeholders. Findings The analysis shows a clash between actors and organisations with contrasting normative understandings of NPS in Poland and Britain, including those who favoured prohibition and those who sought to use the NPS “crisis” as an opportunity to reform existing drug policies. Most notably, it shows differences in how power was deployed in each case, with Polish stakeholders tending to use institutional and legal power in a more open and direct way. Originality/value This paper shows that the more mediated and “covert” use of power in Britain may be partly shaped by longer traditions of the public sphere and democratic governance.