ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the variety of ideational processes that may affect social policy stability and change over time. It begins with a general discussion of the role of ideas that leads to a critical survey of key ideational factors. This discussion leads in turn to remarks about the need for historical ideational analysis, the issue of why some ideas may become more influential than others, and the appropriate research methods for empirical ideational analysis. The chapter also discusses several ideational categories in the order: problem definitions, policy paradigms, frames and discourse, cultural categories and public sentiments, and core social policy concepts. It contributes to the ongoing discussion about "how ideas matter". Culture is a broad concept that has been used in social policy research. Some students of culture focus on how cultural beliefs and ideas shape social policy development across countries. The way actors frame policy issues and solutions can have a direct impact on the politics of social policy.
