Policy Concepts in 1000 Words: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory
Understanding Public Policy (in 1000 and 500 words)Show Notes
Note: PET has changed a lot, as reflected in Policy in 500 Words: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory
From Policy Concepts in 1000 Words: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory:
Policymaking can appear stable for long periods, only to be destabilised profoundly. Most policies can stay the same for long periods while a small number change quickly and dramatically. Or, policy change in one issue may be minimal for decades, followed by profound change which sets policy on an entirely new direction. The aim of Baumgartner and Jones’ punctuated equilibrium theory is to measure and explain these long periods of policymaking stability, and policy continuity, disrupted by short but intense periods of instability and change. The key concepts are:
Bounded rationality. Policymakers cannot consider all problems and their solutions at all times. For example, government ministers can only pay attention to a tiny proportion of the issues for which they are responsible. They ignore most and promote few to the top of their agenda.
Disproportionate attention. Policymakers often ignore issues or pay them an unusual amount of attention. The lack of attention to most issues helps explain why most policies may not change. Intense periods of attention to some issues may prompt new ways to understand and seek to solve old problems.
Power and agenda setting. Some groups try to maintain their privileged position by minimizing attention to the policy solutions which benefit them. Others seek to expand attention, to encourage new audiences and participants, to generate debate and new action.
Framing. Groups compete to influence how a problem is framed (understood, defined, categorized and measured) and therefore solved by policymakers. For example, it may be framed as a problem that has largely been solved, leaving the technical details of implementation to experts, or a crisis which should generate widespread attention and immediate action.
Policy monopolies. Groups may enjoy a ‘monopoly of understanding’ when policymakers accept their preferred way to frame an issue for long periods, perhaps even taking it for granted. This monopoly may be ‘institutionalised’ when rules are created and resources devoted to solving the policy problem on those terms.
Venue shopping. To challenge a monopoly in one venue (such as the executive, or one type of government at a particular level), groups may seek an audience in another (such as the legislature, the courts, or another type or level of government).
In Agendas and Instability (1993; 2009), Baumgartner and Jones, use a case study approach to examine these processes in detail.
[see the post for more, and compare with Policy in 500 Words: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory]
More from Understanding Public Policy (in 1000 and 500 words)
By James Nicholls and Paul Cairney, for the University of Stirling MPH and MPP programmes.
The eight (and final) of a series of podcasts tying together multiple 500 Words posts. They’ll sound a bit different from the 1000 Words podcasts because I recorded them in front of our MPP students.
The seventh of a series of podcasts tying together 500 Words posts.
The sixth of a series of podcasts tying together multiple 500 Words posts. They’ll sound a bit different from the 1000 Words podcasts because I recorded them in front of our MPP students.
The fifth of a series of podcasts tying together multiple 500 Words posts. They’ll sound a bit different from the 1000 Wordspodcasts because I recorded them in front of our MPP students.