The Political Inherency of Evaluation: The Impact of Politics on the Outcome of 10 Years of Evaluative Scrutiny of Australia's Mandatory Detention Policy

Abstract

The primary objective of evaluation is to provide information that can provide a basis for developing or revising policies and programs, and is an inherently political activity. This article reflects on 10 years of scrutiny by evaluators of a contested policy in Australia—that of the mandatory detention of asylum seekers—and explores how evaluation informs political decisions, and how politics shapes the use of evaluation results.

The evidence presented shows that evaluators need to be aware of, and manage, the political forces that shape the scope and outcomes of evaluations. Otherwise, evaluation may be little more than a tool for reinforcing existing power relations rather than a neutral and objective means of improving social policies or programs. Some strategies are suggested to help evaluators safeguard their neutrality and maximise the effectiveness of their contributions to political debates.