This book does not take a position on the question of whether comparative public policy is- or should be- normative, or should instead avoid making value judgments. Nonetheless, it should be noted that much research does appear to adopt comparison as a means of promoting a particular policy position. For example, Hodge and Bowman (2010: 223) use a comparison of ‘policy and dialogue activities’ concerning nanotechnology in the UK in promoting ‘wide-raning public debate’ about the new technology.