Sustainable events and public policy

This chapter examines the relationship between events and public policy, explaining why governments become involved in events and how their values, ideologies and policy priorities shape that involvement. It outlines the main approaches governments may take, ranging from laissez-faire and regulatory models to more interventionist event strategies. The chapter also explores how events connect with key policy domains, including economic development, culture, social policy and environmental policy. Finally, it considers the political dimensions of mega events, showing how bidding, hosting and protest are shaped by national image, power and contested public interests.