Symposium: Theories of the Policy Process

Over the past decade and a half, a key development in policy studies has been a growing awareness of the vital part played by various discontinuities in the policy process, particularly in explaining the dynamics of major policy change. These discontinuities can take the form of the introduction of new ideas, values and knowledge, but can also represent gaps between the various phases of the policy process, and the institutional differences between separate policy arenas. One of those at the forefront of this fresh perspective is Paul Sabatier who, in his work with Hank Jenkins-Smith, has developed the key concept of the advocacy coalition framework (ACF). This book, in providing concise and authoritative accounts of both new and more established policy process frameworks, gives us an excellent overview and summary of the current state of play. A more intriguing facet of the book, however, is how, implicitly, it makes us more aware of the multidimensional character of the policy process.