Advocacy Coalition Framework

Definition

The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) is a theoretical model that explains how groups of individuals, known as advocacy coalitions, come together to promote their shared beliefs and policy objectives over time within a specific policy domain. This framework emphasizes the role of these coalitions in influencing public policy by coordinating efforts, utilizing resources, and engaging in strategic actions to achieve their goals, often in competition with other coalitions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ACF suggests that policy change is often slow and incremental due to the stability of deeply held beliefs within advocacy coalitions.
2. Coalitions typically consist of various actors, including interest groups, government agencies, and research organizations, all working towards common policy goals.
3. The framework highlights the importance of external events, such as crises or shifts in public opinion, in triggering significant policy change by destabilizing existing coalitions.
4. ACF emphasizes that successful coalitions often engage in learning and adaptation over time as they respond to new information and changes in the political landscape.
5. The ACF also recognizes the role of 'policy-oriented learning,' where coalitions can shift their strategies based on evaluations of past successes and failures.

Review Questions

• How do advocacy coalitions interact with one another within the Advocacy Coalition Framework?
  • Advocacy coalitions interact through competition and collaboration as they seek to influence policy outcomes. Coalitions may compete for resources and public attention while also forming alliances with other groups that share similar goals. This interaction can lead to negotiations or conflicts over policy issues, shaping the overall dynamics of the policy-making process.
• Discuss the significance of belief systems in the Advocacy Coalition Framework and how they impact coalition dynamics.
  • Belief systems are central to the Advocacy Coalition Framework as they shape the motivations and strategies of coalition members. A coalition's beliefs influence its policy goals and how it perceives its opponents. These belief systems can lead to strong commitment among coalition members, making it challenging for them to adapt or shift their positions unless significant external factors disrupt their established views.
• Evaluate how the Advocacy Coalition Framework accounts for both incremental and transformative policy changes over time.
  • The Advocacy Coalition Framework explains that while most policy changes are incremental due to entrenched belief systems within coalitions, transformative changes can occur when significant external events create pressure for re-evaluation. For instance, crises may destabilize existing coalitions, prompting members to reassess their beliefs and strategies. This dynamic allows for the possibility of major shifts in policy direction as new coalitions form or existing ones adapt to emerging challenges.

Related terms

Policy Entrepreneur: An individual or organization that actively seeks to promote a specific policy agenda or change by mobilizing resources, building coalitions, and advocating for their cause.

Belief System: The set of values, assumptions, and perceptions that shape an individual's or group's understanding of the world and influence their policy preferences.

Policy Change: The process through which existing policies are modified or replaced in response to new information, changing circumstances, or advocacy efforts.