Policy entrepreneurs as catalysts of broad system change: the case of social health insurance adoption in India

Abstract

Understanding what drives broad, system change is fundamental, as societies seek to adapt to challenges. We highlight the role that policy entrepreneurs can play as catalysts of such change by linking micro-level strategies and broad, system change which remains understudied. Applying a historical perspective, we analyse the adoption of social health insurance programs in India to identify the role played by policy entrepreneurs in driving the adoption of these programs, even as broader structural and institutional factors established the context for policy change. Further analysis of this kind could advance knowledge of what drives broad, system change in other areas.