The advocacy coalition framework: revisions and relevance for Europe

TLDR

The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) has generated considerable interest among European policy scholars. This article summarizes important findings and changes to the ACF since its last major revision in 1993. The article briefly addresses the ACF's applicability to parliamentary systems, Eastern European countries, and the dynamic politics of the European Union. Key revisions include a clearer individual model, a more integrated policy subsystem concept, greater focus on collective behavior among like‑believing actors, and guidance on identifying advocacy coalitions. Keywords: advocacy coalition framework, European policy, policy theory, public policy.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) has generated considerable interest among European policy scholars. This article summarizes some of the more important findings concerning, and changes to, the ACF since the last major revision in 1993. These include: (1) a much clearer model of the individual; (2) a clearer, more integrated concept of 'policy subsystem;' (3) much greater attention to the problematic nature of collective behavior among people who share policy beliefs; and (4) some suggestions concerning methods of ascertaining the existence and membership of advocacy coalitions. The article also briefly addresses the ACF's applicability to parliamentary systems, to the countries of Eastern Europe, and to the dynamic politics of the European Union. KEY WORDS : Advocacy coalition frameworkEuropean policypolicy theorypublic policy