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Corrective policy reactions: positive and negative budgetary punctuations

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  • Flink, Carla M.
  • Robinson, Scott E.

Abstract

Punctuated equilibrium theory seeks to explain policy volatility and stability in government attention. In previous research into the temporal dynamics of punctuations, scholars found that punctuations occur in clusters – a recent budgetary punctuation increases the likelihood of a subsequent punctuation. This article examines the direction, positive or negative, of budgetary punctuations over time. Are budgetary punctuations corrective, grouping positive and negative changes? Or, do budgetary punctuations occur in cumulative trends of positive or negative changes? These questions address the heart of the theoretical metaphor for punctuated equilibrium. In an analysis of over 1,000 Texas school districts for nearly a 20-year-period, results support the notion of reactive patterns of budgetary punctuations – positive and negative budgetary punctuations pair up at a rate much higher than expected by chance. The findings demonstrate that even though it is likely to see consecutive positive and negative punctuations, they are not always fully corrective.

Suggested Citation

  • Flink, Carla M. & Robinson, Scott E., 2020. "Corrective policy reactions: positive and negative budgetary punctuations," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(1), pages 96-115, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:40:y:2020:i:1:p:96-115_5
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    Cited by:

    1. Tevfik Murat Yildirim, 2022. "Stability and change in the public’s policy agenda: a punctuated equilibrium approach," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 55(2), pages 337-350, June.
    2. Wordliczek Lukasz, 2021. "Between incrementalism and punctuated equilibrium: the case of budget in Poland, 1995–2018," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 15(2), pages 14-30, December.

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