Antibiotic resistance and the global response : An analysis of political frames

Abstract: With regards to the potential severity of increased antibiotic resistance around the world it is puzzling that the global response to this issue has not been more comprehensive. In this thesis I will examine the political frames on ABR formulated by the global network ReAct in an attempt to understand why this is the case. The frames of an issue, that is how it is described politically in different ways, are crucial for agenda-setting. Moreover, framing is an important part of the work of transnational advocacy networks. Since the acknowledgement of an issue in terms of agenda-setting is an important part of a global response, the frames of transnational advocacy networks make up the focus of this thesis. My findings suggests that the existence of multiple frames on ABR to some extent helps us understand the lacking response to ABR. The construction of the frames in terms of causality, and inparticular a general vagueness in terms of responsibility, is however the main finding.