Policy processes untangled - Testing the influence of advocacy coalitions in regional climate policy
Abstract: Policy making processes is under constant study and scrutiny. Different theories bring different dimensions to the table. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) is especially developed studying ”wicked” problems, which the climate issue without controversy can be called. The ACF studies belief systems among actors, forming advocacy coalitions which act to achieve desired policy outcome. In this study the ACF is applied on climate and energy policy in Blekinge, a least likely case to suit the ACF. Belief systems are operationalized based on the concept of sustainable development and the concept of legalization. The objective is to identify advocacy coalitions within the policy system and further trace the process leading to the policy outcome: the Climate and Energy Strategy of Blekinge 2013-2016. Unfortunately, because of shortcomings in methods and material, advocacy coalitions could not be identified, nor does the ACF gain support. The ACF is perceived as a comprehensive, somewhat self-immunizing, with a substantial amount of factors that need research to follow the causal chain of mechanisms.
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