Policy Change in Comparative Contexts: Applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework Outside of Western Europe and North America

The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) is one of the most frequently applied theories of the policy process. Most applications have been in Western Europe and North America. This article provides an overview of the ACF, summarizes existing applications outside of Western Europe and North America, and introduces the special issue that features applications of the ACF in the Philippines, China, India, and Kenya. This article concludes with an argument for the continued application of the ACF outside of Western Europe and North America and a research agenda for overcoming challenges in using the ACF in comparative public policy research.

Apprentissage et changement : l’Advocacy Coalition Framework et l’évolution de la politique militaire africaine de la France 1994-2008

La politique militaire de la France en Afrique est en évolution. La véracité factuelle de ce constat est désormais difficilement contestable. Ce changement s’observe d’abord dans le discours où l’on parle de plus en plus d’anciennes pratiques dépassées et reconnaît que ce qui était politiquement possible et admis il y a vingt ans ne l’est plus aujourd’hui. Ce processus s’incarne ensuite dans la modification des instruments d’action ainsi que dans les modes et les niveaux d’utilisation de ces instruments. Partant de ces considérations, le présent travail se propose d’examiner les facteurs à l’origine de cette évolution. Il part des réponses jusqu’ici proposées pour apporter un éclairage nouveau au sujet des forces et dynamiques à la base des changements annoncés ou observés. Contrairement à la littérature existante qui a jusqu’ici privilégié les approches matérialistes et utilitaristes pour expliquer les transformations entreprises et celles promises dans la politique militaire africaine de la France, cette étude propose, à l’inverse, une perspective inspirée des approches cognitives et axée sur le processus d’apprentissage. Ainsi, plutôt que de voir dans les réformes ici analysées le résultat exclusif de changements structurels ou systémiques survenus dans l’environnement économique, social ou international des États, notre analyse fera davantage valoir que cette transformation a pour l’essentiel été une adaptation faite à la lumière des leçons tirées d’expériences antérieures. Cette analyse s’appuie sur l’Advocacy Coalition Framework. Développée par Paul A Sabatier et ses collègues, il postule que la prise de décision en matière de politique publique peut être mieux comprise comme une compétition entre coalitions de cause, chacune étant constituée d’acteurs provenant d’une multitudes d’institutions (leaders de groupes d’intérêt, agences administratives, chercheurs, journalistes) qui partagent un système de croyances lié à l’action publique et qui s’engagent dans un effort concerté afin de traduire des éléments de leur système de croyances en une politique publique.

Socio-technical transitions and policy change - Advocacy coalitions in Swiss energy policy

Policies and politics are an integral part of socio-technical transitions but have not received much attention in the transitions literature so far. Drawing on the advocacy coalition framework, our paper addresses this gap with a study on actors and coalitions in Swiss energy policy. Our results show that advocacy coalitions in Switzerland have largely remained stable despite the Fukushima shock. However, heterogeneity of beliefs has increased and in 2013, even a majority of actors expressed their support for the energy transition – an indication that major policy change might be ahead. It seems that in socio-technical transitions, changes in the policy issue and in the actor base also work toward policy change, next to changes in core beliefs. We make suggestions how the advocacy coalition framework can inform analysis and theory building in transition studies. We also present first ideas about the interplay of socio-technical systems and policy systems.

Stronger Together: The Cross-Cultural Coalition to Stop a Fossil Fuel Export Terminal in the Salish Sea

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Advocacy coalitions:influencing the policy process in the EU

The aim of this contribution is to critically evaluate one of the theoretical approaches used to study the European Union (EU) political system and interest groups activity: the advocacy coalition framework (ACF). ACF considers that the outcome of legislative procedures is influenced by the alignment and role played by advocacy coalitions. This contribution assesses the impact of ACF on our understanding of the influences on the EU policy processes, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the approach. The main argument is that the ACF, although very useful in studying the EU political system, shows shortcomings when applied to the study of EU interest groups' performance. The contribution ends with a consideration of future directions for theoretical and empirical ACF research, alone and as part of wider integrated theoretical approaches to understanding the dynamics of influence in the EU. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Eliciting and using stakeholder input to guide Puget Sound nearshore restoration decisionmaking

The goal of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) is to improve system-wide functionality of nearshorei ecosystem processes. To achieve that goal, PSNERP plans to strategically restore nearshore sites throughout Puget Sound. PSNERP scientists are assessing changes to the nearshore, and will recommend an environmentally strategic restoration portfolio. Yet, PSNERP also needs stakeholder input to design a socially strategic portfolio. This research investigates the values and preferences of stakeholders in the Whidbey Sub-Basin of Puget Sound to help PSNERP be both socially and environmentally strategic. This investigation may be repeated in the six other Puget Sound Sub-Basins. The results will guide restoration portfolio design and future stakeholder involvement activities. This study examines four areas of stakeholder values and preferences: 1) beliefs about the causes, solutions, and severity of nearshore problems; 2) priorities for nearshore features, shoreforms, developments, and restoration objectives; 3) thoughts about ecosystem servicesiii and trade-offs among them; and 4) visions of a future, restored Puget Sound nearshore and the role of science in attaining this vision. The study is framed by two hypotheses from the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), which suggests that groups of policy advocates form around shared “policy core beliefs” which can transcend traditional categories of stakeholders.(PDF contains 3 pages)

Ireland's knowledge economy policy: beliefs, drivers and prospects

This dissertation critically examines Ireland’s knowledge economy policy, the country’s basis for economic recovery and growth, to enhance future policy decisions and debate. Much has been written internationally on the ‘knowledge economy’ with its emergence closely related to globalisation and technological progression in the 1990s. Since the late 1990s, Irish policy-makers have been firmly committed to positioning Ireland as a leading knowledge economy. Transforming the country’s competitive base to a knowledge economy is pivotal, directly shaping the course of Ireland’s economy and society. Given Ireland’s current economic crisis, limited resources, global competition from leaders in science and technology and growing challenges from emerging economies, a systematic study of Ireland’s major competitive policy is imperative. Above all, this study explores the processes behind the policy and the multiple actors from different institutions who follow and seek to influence decisions. The advocacy coalition framework is used to identify the advocacy coalition operating in the knowledge economy policy subsystem. The theoretical insights of this framework are also combined with other public policy approaches, providing complementary insights into the policy process. The research is framed around three elements - the beliefs underpinning the policy; who is driving the policy; and the prospects of the policy. Primary information is collected by way of semi-structured in-depth interviews with 49 Irish elites (politicians, senior bureaucrats, academics and business leaders) involved in the formation and implementation of the policy. This study finds that a strong advocacy coalition has formed in this policy subsystem whose members are collectively driving the policy. Both exogenous and endogenous forces help frame a common perception of the problems the policy addresses and the solutions it offers. Evidence suggests that this policy is a sustainable option for Ireland’s economic future and the study concludes with policy recommendations for advancing Ireland’s knowledge economy.

Recursos para el análisis de las políticas públicas

Uno de los objetivos de la línea de Teoría y Práctica de las Políticas Públicas (TP3) es el análisis de las políticas públicas como objeto de estudio en sí mismo. En América Latina los estudios sobre este tema están más concentrados en el análisis práctico que en el académico, dejando de lado la posibilidad de teorizar y crear nuevos modelos que puedan ser replicados dentro de nuestros estudios de caso a nivel académico. Por ello, la tendencia ha sido la de copiar las teorías, enfoques y modelos propios de la escuela anglosajona (principalmente de Estados Unidos y Reino Unido), limitando nuestra capacidad de comprensión con respecto a nuestros fenómenos políticos, económicos y sociales. Por esta razón, durante el primer semestre de 2015 se creó el Semillero de Políticas Públicas con el fin de reflexionar sobre los vacíos que existen en la comprensión y el análisis de las políticas en Colombia y en Latinoamérica, para luego dar paso a la construcción de respuestas pertinentes. Esta publicación es el resultado de nuestra primera iniciativa como Semillero, la cual consiste en recoger las principales herramientas analíticas en el estudio académico de las políticas públicas, explicar sus postulados fundamentales, identificar sus fortalezas y debilidades y, finalmente, aplicar estas herramientas a un caso dentro del contexto colombiano.

Dois casos e um alerta para as organizações do terceiro setor: Raízes Fundação para o sem teto e Associação Comunitária Monte Azul

Os ganhos de eficiência obtidos com a profissionalização da gestão por si só podem não ser suficientes para conquistar a empatia dos stakeholders externos às organizações do Terceiro Setor. Em paralelo, é preciso sensibilizar os outsiders para o conceito de eficiência social, pois hoje prevalece o conceito de eficiência econômica. O trabalho aponta como alternativa a constituição de uma Advocacy Coalition Framework, ACF (estrutura de coalizões intercessoras) agregando essas organizações a fim de desenvolverem o marketing social junto ao estado e a sociedade. Neste. sentido, a academia deverá exercer o importante papel de formadora de opinião.

Políticas publicas do esporte no Brasil: razões para o predomínio do alto rendimento

Esta tese tem por tema o estudo da evolução da Política Pública do Esporte no Brasil. Seu objeto de estudo é o predomínio do esporte de alto rendimento. Para tanto, define as três categorias de manifestação esportiva com as quais trabalha: esporte de alto rendimento, esporte educacional e esporte participativo. Igualmente apresenta a estrutura teórica a ser utilizada, a Advocacy Coalition Framework – ACF, que se utiliza de estrutura de crenças e valores formatada pelo autor para o estudo do campo esportivo, tratado pela ACF com um subsistema ou área específica de política publica. Procurando melhor embasar o estudo, a tese resgata os principais conceitos históricos e sociológicos relacionados ao campo do esporte e reforça a interação deste com os aspectos sociais, econômicos e políticos. Em seguida, aborda a gênese do esporte e sua vinda ao Brasil, no início do século passado, passando pela criação das entidades desportivas e apresentando as razões de seus conflitos de interesses. Ainda nesta parte, aborda a discussão sobre os valores e contra valores que permearam a discussão entre intelectuais a favor e contra o desenvolvimento do esporte. No período do Estado Novo a tese discute as razões que levaram o Estado a intervir no setor esportivo e a estruturá-lo institucionalmente com o Decreto Lei 3.199, de 1941. Com já apontado por outros autores, este decreto representou acentuada ação do Estado em favor do esporte de alto rendimento, fortalecendo propositadamente sua coalizão de atore, aqui chamada de pró-EAR, bem como reflete seu desejo de implementar valores higienistas e eugenistas que permeavam a sociedade intelectualizada de então. A tese aborda o caráter autoritário e corporativista do Decreto e como estas características foram usadas no período populistas para desenvolver bases clientelistas na estrutura formal do esporte. Na fase do regime militar, a tese discute o projeto de transformar o Brasil em uma potência olímpica nos moldes do futebol e como tal ideal determinou ação deliberada de incorporação do setor esportivo educacional aos princípios e valores do esporte de alto rendimento, o denominado como modelo piramidal. O estudo contempla a reação de parte da comunidade acadêmica e da prática educacional da área esportiva e também o surgimento do movimento do esporte para todos. O que é assumido pela tese como o início da coalizão contrária ao alto rendimento, aqui chamada de pró-EPE (esporte participativo e educacional). Na seqüência, analisa o importante período da constitucionalização do esporte, que implicou no embate entre as duas coalizões dentro do processo constituinte, quando, a despeito da supremacia da pró-EAR, redundou em importantes conquistas para a pró-EPE ao se estabelecer o esporte como um direito social e ao se dar prioridade ao esporte educacional na ação do Estado. Ainda como parte do processo de liberalização do esporte analisa o papel da Lei Zico na reestruturação do subsistema esportivo. No período mais recente a tese se concentra, por um lado, na evolução institucional do esporte dentro de Estado, significando a passagem do nível de secretaria para o de ministério. Por outro lado, o esforço legislativo para aprimorar a legislação, acentuadamente a favor da modernização do futebol e do esporte de alto rendimento. É também o período em que a tese faz sua real contribuição ao abordar a distribuição desproporcional de recursos público e a representação no órgão de aconselhamento nacional do esporte entre as três categorias de manifestação esportiva. Em função das evidências apresentadas, a tese conclui pelo fortalecimento da coalizão pró-EAR e seu o efeito no aumento do predomínio do alto rendimento.

Coalizões de interesses e a regulamentação da propaganda voltada ao público infantil

A motivação desta dissertação é entender como a regulamentação da propaganda infantil vem sendo tratada dentro de uma sociedade plural em que diversos grupos estão buscando defender seus interesses. Assim, seu objetivo é analisar como atores da sociedade estão se organizando para inserir a regulamentação da propaganda infantil na agenda do governo brasileiro. O referencial teórico dessa análise é o Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) proposto por Sabatier e Jenkins-Smith (1993). Atualmente, no Brasil, esse tema é tratado pelo Código de Defesa do Consumidor e Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente, havendo também autorregulação, o que caracteriza o país como um sistema misto. Porém, desde 2001, tramita o Projeto de Lei 5921 que propõe a proibição da propaganda infantil e, ao longo dos anos, recebeu diversos substitutivos, alguns buscando maior interferência do Estado nesse processo, e outros, menos. Para tanto, foi feito aqui um estudo qualitativo, no qual foram analisados documentos das instituições envolvidas, legislação, projetos de lei e seus substitutivos, documentos da Câmara dos Deputados, vídeos e notas taquigráficas das audiências públicas, além de entrevistas com atores envolvidos para identificar as coalizões presentes nesse debate. Foram identificadas duas coalizões denominadas como “Mais Estado” e “Menos Estado”, sendo a primeira composta principalmente por organizações da sociedade civil que defendem os direitos da criança e do consumidor e a segunda coalizão pelo órgão autorregulamentador e seus fundadores. O material analisado permite-nos afirmar que ainda há muitos pontos a serem alinhados para que se chegue a um consenso sobre o tema e que ele seja inserido na agenda do governo brasileiro, principalmente pelas divergências cuja raiz está no entendimento de quanto o governo deve intervir no mercado e na sociedade.

A stakeholder analysis of the Texas Youth Commission issue for the Texas 80th Legislative Session

The following is a policy analysis based on the Advocacy Coalition Framework by Paul Sabatier. The study question was who were the stakeholders in the legislative process for the issue of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) overhaul during the Texas 80th Legislative Session. This analysis included the stakeholders identifying characteristics including beliefs and interests, goals and resources, and finally, the winning legislative solutions as embodied in three bills that were passed. The study linked the stakeholders with three bills and expanded on the literature for the stakeholder group of Policy Brokers. The conclusions were that all stakeholders including Youth Advocates, the Policy People and Policy Brokers were effective in advancing legislative solutions to address the need for an agency overhaul of TYC and that the three new policies will be evaluated in the future as either short term change or long-term reforms based on their implementation. ^

Strange bedfellows: The ethics and politics of medical futility in Texas

Background: Futile medical treatments are interventions that are not associated with a benefit to the patient. The definition and concept of medical futility are controversial. The Texas Advance Directives Act (TADA) was passed in 1999 to address medically inappropriate interventions by allowing providers to withdraw inappropriate interventions against a surrogate decision maker's wishes following a review, attempt to transfer the patient, and 10-day waiting period. The original legislation was a negotiated compromise by players across the political spectrum. However, in recent years there has been increasing controversy regarding TADA and attempts to alter its applicability in Texas. ^ Purpose: The purpose of this project was to apply Paul Sabatier's advocacy coalition framework (ACF) to gain understanding into the historical, ethical, and political basis of the initial compromise, and determine the sources of conflict that have led to increased opposition to TADA. ^ Methods: Using the ACF model, key actors within the medical futility policy debate in Texas were aggregated into coalitions based on shared beliefs. A narrative summary based analysis identified the core elements of the policy subsystem, as well as the constraints and resources of the subsystem actors. Externalities that promoted adjustments to coalition beliefs and tactics used by coalition participants were analyzed. Data sources included review of the published literature regarding medical futility, as well as analysis of published newspaper accounts and editorials regarding the medical futility issue in Texas, legislative testimony, and review of weblogs and online commentaries dealing with the issue. ^ Results: Primary coalition participants in developing compromise legislation in 1999 were the Providers and Vitalists, with Autonomists gaining a prominent role starting in 2006. Internal factors associated with the breakdown of consensus included changes to the makeup of the governing coalition and changes in individual case information available to the Vitalist coalition. Externalities related to the intertwining of the Sun Hudson case and the Terri Schiavo case generated negative publicity for the TADA from progressive and conservative viewpoints. Dissemination of information in various venues regarding contentious cases was associated with more polarization of viewpoints, and realignment of coalition alliances. ^ Conclusions: The ACF provided an outline for the initial compromise over the creation of the Texas Advance Directives Act as well as the eventual loss of consensus. The debate between the Provider, Vitalist, and Autonomist coalitions has been affected by internal policy evolution, changes in the governing coalition, and important externalities. The debate over medical futility in Texas has had much broader implications in the dispute over Health Care Reform.^

Something Worth Fighting For: The Evolution of Lobbying Coalitions in the Emissions Trading System. Bruges Political Research Papers 50/2015.

This thesis attempts to understand who fought for influence within the European Union’s policy area of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The ETS is a key aspect of the European Union’s (EU) climate change policy and is particularly important in light of the conclusions at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. It was first established in 2003 with Directive 2003/87/EC and completed its first major revision in 2008 with Directive 2009/29/EC. Between these two key Directives, the interplay between industrial and environmental incentives means that the ETS has created a dynamic venue for divergent interest groups. So as to identify the relevant actors, this paper applies the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) of Sabatier. Using position papers, semi-structured interviews, and unpublished documents from the EU institutions, this paper answers it primary research question in its identification of an economy-first and an environment-first lobbying coalition. These coalitions have expanded over time with the environment-first coalition incorporating Greenpeace and the economy-first coalition expanding even further in both scope and speed. However, the economy-first coalition has been susceptible to industry-specific interests. In its application of the ACF, the research shows that a hypothesised effect between the ACF’s external events and these lobbying coalitions is inconclusive. Other hypotheses stemming from the ACF relating to electricity prices and the 2004 enlargement seem to be of significance for the relative composition of the lobbying coalitions. This paper finds that there are certain limitations within the ACF. The findings of this thesis provide a unique insight into how lobbying coalitions within a key EU policy area can form and develop.