Advocacy coalition framework

Definition

The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) is a theoretical model that explains how groups of actors, called advocacy coalitions, work together to influence policy decisions and outcomes over time. These coalitions are formed by individuals and organizations who share common beliefs and values regarding specific policy issues and collaborate to promote their interests in the political arena. The ACF highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between various stakeholders, including policymakers, interest groups, and the public, in shaping public policy through ongoing negotiation and strategic actions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ACF was developed by Paul Sabatier in the late 1980s to better understand the role of coalitions in policy-making processes.
2. Advocacy coalitions can include a variety of stakeholders such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and interest groups that share similar policy goals.
3. The framework emphasizes the significance of both short-term political events and long-term belief systems in influencing policy change.
4. ACF posits that changes in policy are often a result of negotiated compromises among competing coalitions rather than the actions of individual actors.
5. The effectiveness of an advocacy coalition can be assessed through its ability to mobilize resources, communicate effectively, and sustain commitment over time.

Review Questions

• How does the advocacy coalition framework explain the dynamics between different stakeholders in the policy-making process?
  • The advocacy coalition framework highlights that various stakeholders form coalitions based on shared beliefs and values related to specific policy issues. These coalitions work together to influence decision-making through collective action and negotiation. By recognizing the interplay between different advocacy groups, policymakers can better understand how competing interests shape policy outcomes over time.
• In what ways can understanding advocacy coalitions improve strategies for effective policy change?
  • Understanding advocacy coalitions can improve strategies for effective policy change by identifying key players and their motivations within a given issue area. By analyzing the beliefs and resources of these coalitions, advocates can tailor their approaches to build alliances, counter opposition, and leverage opportunities for influence. Additionally, recognizing the importance of long-term commitment within coalitions helps in sustaining efforts towards achieving desired policy outcomes.
• Critically assess how the advocacy coalition framework interacts with other policy theories like the Multiple Streams Framework in explaining complex policy processes.
  • The advocacy coalition framework interacts with other theories such as the Multiple Streams Framework by providing a deeper understanding of how belief systems influence stakeholder behavior within dynamic political environments. While ACF focuses on coalition-building based on shared values, the Multiple Streams Framework emphasizes the timing and convergence of problems, policies, and politics as pivotal moments for change. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of policy processes by illustrating how structured coalitions navigate complex scenarios to advocate for their interests while also responding to external pressures and opportunities.

Related terms

Policy Entrepreneurs: Individuals or organizations that actively seek to promote specific policy solutions or reforms by leveraging their resources, expertise, and networks to influence decision-makers.

Multiple Streams Framework: A model that explains how policy changes occur when three streams—problems, policies, and politics—converge at critical moments to create opportunities for action.

Social Constructivism: An approach that emphasizes the role of social processes and collective beliefs in shaping policy agendas and outcomes, focusing on how actors understand and interpret social issues.