Instrument Constituencies and the Advocacy Coalition Framework: an essay on the comparisons, opportunities, and intersections

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to analyze two theories. One is a relatively new approach called Instrument Constituencies. The other is an established approach called the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF). This essay begins by comparing the two theories by an explicit set of criteria. It then lays out opportunities for refinement and advancement of Instrument Constituencies towards its better placement, usefulness, and longevity as a policy process theory. Research prospects at the intersection of Instrument Constituencies and the ACF are then presented with a set of research questions and hypotheses. This essay concludes with a summary of insights about the field of policy processes gained from this theoretical exploration. While there are opportunities for improvements and important caveats for consideration, this essay makes an optimistic argument for the potential of Instrument Constituencies to offer generalizable and context-specific knowledge in helping to advance policy process research.