Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach: What Is the Empirical Impact of this Universal Theory?

Abstract

While John Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach (MSA) remains a key reference point in the public policy literature, few have attempted to assess MSA holistically. To assess its broader impact and trends in usage, we combine in‐depth analysis of representative studies, with comprehensive coverage of MSA‐inspired articles, to categorize its impact. We find that Kingdon's work makes two separate contributions. First, it has contributed to the development of “evolutionary” policy theories such as punctuated equilibrium. Second, it has prompted a large, dedicated, and often empirical, literature. However, most MSA empirical applications only engage with broader policy theory superficially. The two contributions are oddly independent of each other. We argue that these trends in application are due largely to its intuitive appeal and low “barrier to entry.” Drawing on other policy approaches, we offer suggestions to improve the MSA‐inspired literature.