A Comparison of Three Emerging Theories of the Policy Process
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6341494 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Edella Schlager (0000-0003-1219-3930, University of Arizona), William Blomquist (0000-0001-5071-1159, Indiana University Indianapolis) |
| Year | 1996 |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 651-672 |
| Publication date | 1996-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Political Research Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1065-9129 • E-ISSN: 1938-274X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/106591299604900311 |
| OpenAlex | W2007086177 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 62 |
| References cited | 34 |
In an earlier review of political theories of the policy process, Sabatier (1991) challenged political scientists and policy scholars to improve theoretical understanding of policy processes. This essay responds by comparing and building upon three emerging theoretical frameworks: Sabatier's advocacy coalitions framework (ACF), institutional rational choice (IRC), and Moe's political theory of bureaucracy, which he calls the politics of structural choice (SC). The frameworks are compared using six criteria: (1) the bound aries of inquiry; (2) the model of the individual; (3) the roles of informa tion and beliefs in decision making and strategy; (4) the nature and role of groups; (5) the concept of levels of action; and (6) the ability to explain action at various stages of the policy process. Comparison reveals that each framework has promising components, but each remains short of provid ing a full explanation of the processes of policy formation and change. Directions for future theory development and empirical examination are discussed
Action (physics · Bureaucracy · Economics · Epistemology · Management science · Policy making · Policy Sciences · Political process · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Process (computing · Sociology · Computer Science · Law · Policy Transfer and Learning · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research
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| Unique citing works | 62 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,14 |
| Citation span | 1997 - 2025 (29) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 61 |