Abstract
Studies of policy bubbles have so far ignored the possibility that a policy bubble in a given policy domain or jurisdiction may constitute an information event for another policy bubble that has been inflated elsewhere. In addition, studies of policy diffusion have paid little attention to the transmission of imperfect and wrongful policy valuations through social networks. To bridge these gaps, this article develops a theoretical framework and methodological toolbox for explaining the potential impact of interbubble dynamics on the sustainment of policy bubbles. This is achieved by focusing on: (i) the diffusion of interbubble connectivity information through social networks characterized by varying levels of segregation; (ii) the perceptions of distorted or corrected information by individuals at the receiving end as being factual, thus requiring no gap-filling by policy actors, or as an opinion that therefore requires gap-filling; (iii) the derived consequence in terms of simple or complex contagion; and (iv) its impact on the sustainment of policy bubbles. The main contribution of the article lies in unpacking the potential causal mechanisms through which a policy bubble can be sustained, even if positive feedback processes and contagion in the jurisdiction within which it developed no longer bolster its support bases.
Highlights
Studies of policy bubbles have so far ignored the possibility that a policy bubble in a given policy domain or jurisdiction may constitute an information event for another policy bubble that has been inflated elsewhere
This article develops a theoretical framework and methodological toolbox for explaining the potential impact of interbubble dynamics on the sustainment of policy bubbles. This is achieved by focusing on: (i) the diffusion of interbubble connectivity information through social networks characterized by varying levels of segregation; (ii) the perceptions of distorted or corrected information by individuals at the receiving end as being factual, requiring no gap-filling by policy actors, or as an opinion that requires gap-filling; (iii) the derived consequence in terms of simple or complex contagion; and (iv) its impact on the sustainment of policy bubbles
Distorted interbubble connectivity information which is perceived by individuals at the receiving end as a fact is likely to lead to a simple contagion process, thereby resulting in a stronger and more sustainable inflated valuation of the policy instrument and, a relatively stable and self-sustaining policy bubble at the receiving end
Summary
ISSN: 2706-6274 Publisher International Public Policy Association Printed version Date of publication: 27 April 2020 Number of pages: 24-44 ISSN: 2679-3873. Electronic reference Moshe Maor, « A social network perspective on the interaction between policy bubbles », International Review of Public Policy [Online], 2:1 | 2020, Online since 01 April 2020, connection on 11 June 2020. International Review of Public Policy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have