ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the authors present several perspectives on policy adoption. They begin with an overview of the big picture by briefly reviewing the most prominent policy process frameworks with an eye to their implications for policy analysts seeking to influence the prospects for adoption of policy alternatives. The policy process frameworks and theories offer general insights into political feasibility useful for policy analysts. However, policy analysts must assess the political feasibility of specific policy proposals in specific contexts. The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) shares with several other frameworks and theories the importance of external events, such as major economic or social changes, policy changes in other subsystems, and electoral changes, in contributing to major policy change. Changes in elected and appointed officials, swings in the national mood toward a different ideology, or interest group mobilizations can dramatically affect the politics stream.