Morality policy under the lens - evidence based policy making on abortion versus myth-usage

This paper considers global trends in abortion policy using the framework of morality policy. We consider how the controversy over abortion policy restricts legal reform, resulting in legislative lacunae and non-decision making. Using evidence from a British Academy funded analysis of political debate and policy analysis in the Northern Ireland Assembly during the period 1998 to 2016, the authors demonstrate how such trends are visible in the Northern Ireland context. This analysis demonstrates how morality based policy making which does not take account of systematic scientific evidence can be problematic for effective policy making.