Advocacy Coalition Framework

Definition

The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) is a theory that explains how policy change occurs through the collaboration and competition of various advocacy coalitions within a specific policy subsystem. These coalitions are composed of individuals and organizations who share common beliefs and work together to influence policy outcomes. The ACF emphasizes the role of shared values and beliefs in shaping the actions and strategies of these coalitions, as well as the importance of external factors such as public opinion, political events, and institutional contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ACF was developed by Paul Sabatier in the late 1980s to better understand the complexities of policy change over time.
2. Advocacy coalitions can include a variety of actors such as government officials, interest groups, researchers, and members of the public who share similar beliefs about a policy issue.
3. Coalitions often engage in strategic actions such as lobbying, coalition-building, and mobilizing public support to achieve their policy goals.
4. The ACF highlights the importance of both short-term events, like crises or elections, and long-term processes, like shifts in societal values or technological changes, in influencing policy outcomes.
5. The framework also considers the impact of external factors such as media coverage, legal decisions, and economic conditions on the dynamics within advocacy coalitions.

Review Questions

• How does the Advocacy Coalition Framework explain the role of shared beliefs in shaping policy-making processes?
  • The Advocacy Coalition Framework posits that shared beliefs among coalition members significantly influence their actions and strategies in the policy-making process. These shared beliefs help to unify coalition members, guiding their collective efforts toward common policy goals. By working together based on their mutual understanding of issues, coalitions can effectively advocate for policy changes while navigating challenges posed by competing coalitions.
• Evaluate how the Advocacy Coalition Framework accounts for both internal dynamics within coalitions and external influences on policy change.
  • The Advocacy Coalition Framework takes into account internal dynamics by emphasizing how shared values and beliefs create cohesion among coalition members, allowing them to coordinate their efforts effectively. At the same time, it acknowledges external influences such as political shifts, public opinion changes, and economic conditions that can alter the landscape in which these coalitions operate. This dual focus helps to illustrate the complexity of policy change as both an internal struggle among coalitions and a reaction to broader societal factors.
• Synthesize how understanding the Advocacy Coalition Framework can improve strategies for promoting effective policy change in a diverse stakeholder environment.
  • Understanding the Advocacy Coalition Framework enables stakeholders to recognize the significance of building alliances based on shared beliefs while also considering external factors that can impact policy outcomes. By analyzing which coalitions align with their objectives and identifying potential allies or opponents, stakeholders can develop more effective advocacy strategies. Moreover, leveraging knowledge about public opinion trends and institutional contexts allows coalitions to adapt their approaches over time, ultimately enhancing their chances of successfully influencing policy change in a complex environment.

Related terms

Policy Subsystem: A distinct area of policy that includes various stakeholders, such as government agencies, interest groups, and the public, who interact around specific policy issues.

Belief System: A set of deeply held values and assumptions that guide the actions and decisions of individuals within an advocacy coalition.

Policy Change: The process through which existing policies are modified, replaced, or created in response to new information, changing political landscapes, or shifts in public opinion.