The Advocacy Coalition Framework: An Assessment

This chapter examines the link between research and policy in terms of an 'advocacy coalition' framework, which aims to take into account the importance of various coalitions between certain policy-makers, influential actors and pressure groups. The coalitions form on the basis of shared beliefs and values, as actors/institutions who share a similar perspective forge relationships with each other. Advocacy coalitions therefore consist of various different actors, including different government agencies, associations, civil society organisations, think tanks, academics, media institutions, and prominent individuals.

There are competing advocacy coalitions within each policy domain, and in general one of these coalitions will be dominant and wield greater power over the policy process than other coalitions. Sabatier & Jenkins-Smith argue that research findings will inevitably be shaped by the competition between the different coalitions. They also note that academics and think tanks have a far greater chance of being heard when there are like-minded influential politicians in the dominant advocacy coalition. When this is said, they see a productive and potentially influential role for research, particularly in assisting coalitions to produce better arguments and to monitor the claims of their opponents. While actors in advocacy coalitions do not usually relinquish their core values and beliefs, they are open to changes of 'secondary importance' such as specific policy formulations, and it is here that research has a role to play.