Policy Bubbles

Abstract

We develop the concept of a policy bubble to capture the notion of long-term overinvestment in a policy. In sketching the relation of policy bubbles to economic bubbles, we describe how these two concepts have similar origins but different trajectories because they are filtered by different institutions. We examine in some detail three likely instances of ongoing policy bubbles: crime policy, school reform (charter schools and private education vouchers), and the contracting and privatization of public services. We show how these cases differ from the housing bubble of 1997-2007, how they differ from each other, and the extent to which they can be considered policy bubbles. Last, we suggest this concept can help unify the policy process literature with the practice of policy evaluation and outline testable hypotheses for future research.

Proportionate and disproportionate policy responses to climate change: core concepts and empirical applications

“…Scholars have also focused on constitutional rules and institutional procedures (Maor, 2014a) and flawed decision-making processes such as groupthink (Janis, 1982) and polythink (Mintz & Wayne, 2016) as determinants of disproportionate policy responses. We find the notion of policy over-reaction more appropriate than the notion of policy over-investment developed by Jones et al (2014), because it covers broad areas of national interest such as economic efficiency, social welfare, social justice, sustainability, and individual well-being, rather than being restricted to narrow considerations of economic efficiency.…”

“…Such disproportionate responses may also be sustained for an extended period by positive feedbacks (Jones et al, 2014;Maor, 2014bMaor, , 2016.…”

Blowing policy bubbles: rethinking emissions targets and low-carbon energy policies in the U.K.

“…These may be deliberately designed into policies or they may be unintentional (Jordan & Matt, 2014). Either way, it is conceivable that these mechanisms could exacerbate actual, or perceived, costs; thereby creating prolonged over-investment or a 'policy bubble' (Jones, Thomas, & Wolfe, 2014;Maor, 2014). Accordingly, the reflexive capacity of policy-makers to check and balance these policies is crucial.…”

The Role of Emotions in Drinking Recycled Water

“…Jones et al [40] developed the concept primarily to address the issue of sustained overinvestment wherein governments invest in policy instruments above their instrumental value in achieving a goal.…”

“…There is, however, growing research in the role of factors such as emotions and moral sentiment on decision making as well as policy outcomes. Such scholarship comes from the fields of decision sciences [37], behavioral economics [38] and, more recently, policy sciences [39][40][41].…”