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Value Conflict and Policy Change

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  • Jenny Stewart

Abstract

The analysis of policy change has produced a number of contrasting theoretical approaches, each offering a lens through which to view policy phenomena. This article suggests that the existing menu of approaches for understanding change can be usefully complemented by an understanding of the role played by value conflict. Using institutionalist analysis, I argue that the need to make value‐choices in a nondisruptive way shapes large areas of government activity, particularly in Westminster systems, and explains many observed patterns of stability and change. Building on work by Thacher and Rein, I describe and characterize six types of response to value conflict, giving examples of the role and implications of each. It is not claimed that all policy change can be understood in this way—simply that some types of change reflect the value‐based nature of public policy itself, and the fact that political and bureaucratic systems must evolve mechanisms for dealing simultaneously with thousands of competing and conflicting policy values.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Stewart, 2006. "Value Conflict and Policy Change," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 23(1), pages 183-195, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:23:y:2006:i:1:p:183-195
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2006.00192.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Berend van der Kolk & Wesley Kaufmann, 2018. "Performance measurement, cognitive dissonance and coping strategies: exploring individual responses to NPM-inspired output control," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 93-113, August.
    2. Nicolette van Gestel & Joop Koppenjan & Ilse Schrijver & Arnoud van de Ven & Wijnand Veeneman, 2008. "Managing Public Values in Public-Private Networks: A Comparative Study of Innovative Public Infrastructure Projects," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 139-145, June.
    3. Metodi Sotirov & Georg Winkel, 2016. "Toward a cognitive theory of shifting coalitions and policy change: linking the advocacy coalition framework and cultural theory," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 49(2), pages 125-154, June.
    4. G. Biesbroek & Catrien Termeer & Judith Klostermann & Pavel Kabat, 2014. "Analytical lenses on barriers in the governance of climate change adaptation," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(7), pages 1011-1032, October.
    5. Ford, Rebecca M. & Rawluk, Andrea & Williams, Kathryn J.H., 2019. "Managing values in disaster planning: Current strategies, challenges and opportunities for incorporating values of the public," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 131-142.
    6. Rahman, Md Saifur & Sarker, Pradip Kumar & Sadath, Md. Nazmus & Giessen, Lukas, 2018. "Policy changes resulting in power changes? Quantitative evidence from 25 years of forest policy development in Bangladesh," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 419-431.
    7. Mu, Rui & de Jong, Martin & Ma, Yongchi & Xi, Bao, 2015. "Trading off public values in High-Speed Rail development in China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 66-77.
    8. Filippo Maria D’Arcangelo & Ilai Levin & Alessia Pagani & Mauro Pisu & Åsa Johansson, 2022. "A framework to decarbonise the economy," OECD Economic Policy Papers 31, OECD Publishing.
    9. Sadath, Md. Nazmus & Krott, Max, 2012. "Identifying policy change — Analytical program analysis: An example of two decades of forest policy in Bangladesh," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 93-99.
    10. Sotirov, Metodi & Memmler, Michael, 2012. "The Advocacy Coalition Framework in natural resource policy studies — Recent experiences and further prospects," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 51-64.
    11. Bauke Steenhuisen & Michel van Eeten, 2008. "Invisible Trade-Offs of Public Values: Inside Dutch Railways," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 147-152, June.
    12. Rahman, Md Saifur & Sadath, Md. Nazmus & Giessen, Lukas, 2016. "Foreign donors driving policy change in recipient countries: Three decades of development aid towards community-based forest policy in Bangladesh," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 39-53.
    13. Felix B. Buesching & Dennis M. Steininger & Daniel J. Veit, 2023. "Governing digital crisis responses: platform standards and the dilemma of COVID-19 contact tracing," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(1), pages 267-323, January.
    14. Laurent Mériade & Abdelbari El Khamlichi & Abdelhak Sahib Eddine, 2019. "Public values: between stability and dynamism. An exploration of Moroccan public management [Les valeurs publiques : entre stabilité et dynamisme. Une exploration du management public marocain]," Post-Print hal-02276771, HAL.

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