Abstract
Why does a state change its foreign policy objectives and who is responsible for instigating such change? According to Hermann, four primary change agents are central to this process: leaders, bureaucracies, changes in domestic constituencies, and external shocks. This paper argues that the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) is a complementary policy process framework that can explain foreign policy change (FPC) and that accounts for all four of these primary change agents. Additionally, it is
a broader framework of the policy process that facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing FPC than traditional FPC research. The ACF has the potential to broaden our understanding of FPC by emphasizing the intersection of the international system with domestic politics and focusing on a myriad of policy actors coordinating their advocacy efforts to influence FPC. To support this argument, the paper discusses how FPC can benefit from the ACF and reviews past applications. It proposes a research agenda using the ACF to study FPC and draws conclusions about future challenges and directions.
a broader framework of the policy process that facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing FPC than traditional FPC research. The ACF has the potential to broaden our understanding of FPC by emphasizing the intersection of the international system with domestic politics and focusing on a myriad of policy actors coordinating their advocacy efforts to influence FPC. To support this argument, the paper discusses how FPC can benefit from the ACF and reviews past applications. It proposes a research agenda using the ACF to study FPC and draws conclusions about future challenges and directions.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1771-1791 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | International Studies Review |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- Foreign affairs
- POLITICAL LEADERS
- policy process
- policy change
- ISRAEL
- foreign policy analysis
- international relations
- CHALLENGE
- SHIFT
- MODELS
- policy entrepreneurs
- OPERATIONAL CODE
- IDEAS
- policy learning