Shared Beliefs and Imposed Interdependencies as Determinants of Ally Networks in Overlapping Subsystems

Abstract

We add the concept of imposed interdependencies to components of the Advocacy Coalition Framework to derive four hypotheses regarding coordinated behavior in overlapping geographic and functional policy subsystems. More specifically, we address: (1) whether imposed interdependencies affect the extent to which shared beliefs are related to coordinated behavior; and (2) which types of beliefs are the principal `glue' of coordination. We then examine the implications of these hypotheses in an empirical analysis of ally networks in San Francisco Bay-Delta water policy. Our empirical results suggest that both belief congruence and functional interdependence are important for understanding coordination. Further, the types of beliefs critical to coordination are consistent with the underlying rationale - but not necessarily the specific hypotheses - of the Advocacy Coalition Framework.