Theories of the Policy Process

by Christopher M. Weible

The traditional hypotheses about advocacy coalition include the following: Coalition Hypothesis 1. On major controversies within a policy subsystem when policy core beliefs are in dispute, the lineup of allies and opponents tends to be rather stable over periods of a decade or so. Coalition Hypothesis 2. Actors within an advocacy coalition will show substantial consensus on issues pertaining to the policy core, although less so on secondary aspects. Coalition Hypothesis 3. Actors (or coalitions) will give up secondary aspects of their belief systems before acknowledging weaknesses in the policy core. Coalition Hypothesis 4. Within a coalition, administrative agencies will usually advocate more moderate positions than their interest group allies. Coalition Hypothesis 5. Actors within purposive groups are more constrained in their expression of beliefs and policy positions than actors from material groups.