3 | PATHWAYS FOR CHANGE: 10 Theories to Inform Advocacy and Policy Change Efforts www.evaluationinnovation.org
THEORY (Key Authors) DISCIPLINE HOW CHANGE HAPPENS WHEN THIS THEORY MAY BE USEFUL
Large Leaps
or Punctuated
Equilibrium theory
(Baumgartner & Jones)
Political Science Like seismic evolutionary shifts, significant changes in
policy and institutions can occur when the right conditions
are in place.
• Large-scale policy change is the primary goal
• You have strong media-related capacity
Policy Windows or
Agenda-Setting theory
(Kingdon)
Political Science Policy can be changed during a window of opportunity
when advocates can successfully connect two or more
components of the policy process (e.g., the way a problem
is defined, the policy solution to the problem, and/or the
political climate of their issue).
• You can address multiple streams simultaneously (e.g., problem
definition, policy solutions, and/or political climate)
• You have internal capacity to create, identify, and act on policy
windows
Coalition Theory or
Advocacy Coalition
Framework (Sabatier,
Jenkins-Smith)
Political Science Policy change happens through coordinated activity
among a range of individuals with the same core policy
beliefs.
• A sympathetic administration is in office
• You have a strong group of allies with a common goal
Power Politics or
Power Elites theory
(Mills, Domhoff)
Sociology Policy change is made by working directly with those with
power to make decisions or influence decision making.
• You have one or more key allies in a position of power on the issue
• Focus may be on incremental administrative or rule changes
Regime Theory (Stone) Political Science Policy change happens through the support and
empowerment of policy makers by a close-knit body of
influential individuals.
• You know or suspect that a coalition of non-politicians is deeply
involved in policy making
• You have access to or can become part of this coalition or regime
Messaging and
Frameworks or
Prospect theory
(Tversky & Kahneman)
Psychology Individual’s preferences will vary depending on how
options are presented.
• The issue needs to be redefined as part of a larger campaign or
effort
• A key focus of the work is on increasing awareness, agreement on
problem definition, or salience of an issue
Media Influence or
Agenda-Setting theory
(McCombs & Shaw)
Communications Political issues on the public’s agenda will depend on the
extent of coverage a given issue receives by mass news
media.
• You have strong media-related capacity
• You want to put the issue on the radar of the broader public
Grassroots or
Community
Organizing theory
(Alinsky, Biklen)
Social Psychology Policy change is made through collective action by
members of the community who work on changing
problems affecting their lives.
• A distinct group of individuals is directly affected by an issue
• Your organization’s role in an issue is as a “convener” or “capacity-
builder” rather than as a “driver”
Group Formation or
Self-Categorization
theory (Turner, Tajfel)
Social Psychology Policy change can be achieved when individuals identify
with groups and subsequently act in a way that is
consistent with that social group or category membership.
• You are looking to build or tighten your base of support
• Cohesion among your organization’s members is a prerequisite for
change
Diffusion theory
or Diffusion of
Innovations (Rogers)
Sociology Change happens when a new idea for a program or policy
is communicated to a critical mass, who perceives it as
superseding the current policy/program (or lack thereof)
and thus, adopts the idea.
• The focus is on a new idea for a program or policy
• You have trusted messengers and champions to model or
communicate the innovation
TACTICAL THEORIES GLOBAL THEORIES
Matrix of Theories