Policy Knowledge: Advocacy Organizations

Can policy actors learn from academic scientists?

“…For instance, most scholars assume that learning involves change (Bennett and Howlett 1992), which may be observed in opinions, intentions (Sabatier and Zafonte 2001), and policy (Hysing and Olsson 2008). Yet, as documented in studies of educational science (Illeris 2009), learning may instead reinforce one's prior beliefs (Leach et al 2014).…”

Expert‐Based Information and Policy Subsystems: A Review and Synthesis

“…The advocacy coalition framework views policy as translations of beliefs from competing coalitions (Sabatier & Jenkins‐Smith, 1993). Expert‐based information affects policy indirectly by slowly altering the beliefs of policy actors in a process called “policy‐oriented learning” (Sabatier, 1987; Sabatier & Zafonte, 2001; Weiss, 1977). During intense conflicts, the advocacy coalition framework predicts that (i) expert‐based information becomes a valuable coalition resource to mobilize allies and to argue with opponents; and (ii) policy‐oriented learning occurs within one coalition rather than between coalitions (Sabatier, 1987).…”

“…The referenced policy process theories include the multiple streams theory (Kingdon, 1995), the punctuated equilibrium theory (Baumgartner & Jones, 1993), the social construction theory (Ingram, Schneider, & deLeon, 2007; Schneider & Ingram, 1997), and the advocacy coalition framework (Sabatier & Jenkins‐Smith, 1993). Among policy process theories, the advocacy coalition framework is used most because it already states hypotheses about the use of science in policymaking (Sabatier, 1987, 2005; Sabatier & Zafonte, 2001). Beyond the literature on policy process theories, this review draws heavily on the research utilization literature including Amara, Ouimet, and Landry (2004), Caplan, Morrison, and Stanbaugh (1975), Rich (1975, 1991), and Weiss (1977).…”

Science in the public process of ecosystem management: lessons from Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Africa and the US Mainland

“…The situation becomes particularly problematic if some scientists are perceived as members of a coalition (such as an environmental coalition) rather than a third party providing scientific input. In such cases, their analyses will be heavily discounted by members of opposing coalitions (Sabatier and Zafonte, 2002).…”