Advocacy coalition framework

Definition

The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) is a theoretical model that explains how different stakeholders, or coalitions, collaborate and influence the policy-making process over time. This framework highlights the importance of shared beliefs and values among coalition members, which drive their actions in pursuit of common goals, particularly in complex policy areas where multiple actors and competing interests exist.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ACF emphasizes the role of coalitions in shaping policy outcomes by fostering collaboration among stakeholders with shared beliefs.
2. Policy change is often a slow and gradual process, influenced by the stability and dynamics of advocacy coalitions over time.
3. Coalitions typically consist of various actors, including government officials, interest groups, researchers, and the public, each bringing different resources and expertise.
4. The ACF suggests that external events, such as crises or shifts in public opinion, can disrupt existing coalitions and lead to significant policy changes.
5. Understanding the interactions between different advocacy coalitions is essential for analyzing how policies evolve and change within a particular subsystem.

Review Questions

• How does the advocacy coalition framework illustrate the dynamics of collaboration among different stakeholders in the policy-making process?
  • The advocacy coalition framework illustrates collaboration by showing how different stakeholders form coalitions based on shared beliefs and values. These coalitions work together to influence policy outcomes by aligning their resources and strategies over time. The framework also highlights how these collaborations can impact decision-making processes, especially in complex areas where diverse interests must be balanced.
• Discuss the significance of belief systems within advocacy coalitions and how they affect the actions of coalition members.
  • Belief systems are crucial within advocacy coalitions as they define the shared values and assumptions that motivate coalition members. These belief systems help to unify individuals from different backgrounds around a common goal, guiding their strategies and actions in pursuit of policy change. When members strongly align with a particular belief system, they are more likely to engage in sustained collaboration, which can enhance their influence on the policy-making process.
• Evaluate the role of external events in shaping advocacy coalitions and driving policy change as described by the advocacy coalition framework.
  • External events play a significant role in shaping advocacy coalitions and influencing policy change according to the advocacy coalition framework. Crises, shifts in public opinion, or major political developments can disrupt existing coalitions and compel members to reassess their strategies. Such events may either reinforce coalition unity among those with similar beliefs or lead to fragmentation as differing priorities emerge. Ultimately, these dynamics contribute to the evolution of policies within specific subsystems, highlighting the responsiveness of coalitions to their changing environments.

Related terms

Policy entrepreneurs: Individuals or groups that actively promote specific policy changes by leveraging resources, networks, and advocacy to influence decision-makers.

Policy subsystem: A defined area of policy-making where specific actors, such as government agencies, interest groups, and researchers, interact and compete for influence.

Belief systems: A set of core values and beliefs that shape the perspectives and behaviors of coalition members within the advocacy coalition framework.