Multiple streams approach

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The multiple streams approach was developed in 1984 by the American political scientist John W. Kingdon . In the policy cycle , this model is classified under agenda setting . This model is intended to explain in the policy field analysis why some topics get on the political agenda - and ultimately lead to political decisions - and why this is not the case with others. The model emphasizes that agenda-setting comes about less through a rational process, preceded by a thorough problem definition, than that it is strongly shaped by chance.

This approach is based on three independent streams which, with the help of political entrepreneurs , can be linked by a policy window and thus bring a topic onto the political agenda. These three streams are:

  • Problem electricity
  • Politics stream (stream of decision-making processes)
  • Policy stream (stream of proposed solutions)

The problem stream includes all those conditions that are acted simultaneously in a political system and compete for recognition. Problems can become politically relevant problems through focusing events or feedback . A focal event that had an impact on environmental policy was the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster , which led to an upswing among environmental parties and discussions about a possible nuclear phase- out. Another example is the refugee crisis in Europe from 2015 , which can sometimes explain the strengthening of the right-wing, conservative parties .

The flow of politics is defined by political processes such as the national mood , the distribution of power among organized interests or by changes of government . As an example of the distribution of power, the distribution of competences between the legislature and the executive or the strength of interest groups or the fourth power in a political system can be cited.

The policy stream then consists of a race of ideas that are concerned with technical feasibility and normative acceptance. These ideas are developed by policy specialists in networks (e.g. by bureaucrats , stakeholders , scientists , think tanks , ideologues and foundations ). Since such ideas are sometimes even worked out before the problem is identified, one speaks here of "solutions in search of problems" (German, for example, "solutions in search of problems").

A policy window (also Window of Opportunity , German about possibility window ) can arise through an event, especially in the problem stream or in the politics stream, e.g. B. a crisis or a change of government. If it opens, the three streams can be connected, so that the probability of a decision increases.

Political entrepreneurs are actively trying to combine these three streams. Prominent examples are Angelina Jolie , Bono , Bob Geldof , George Clooney , but also Al Gore .

One of the strengths of this model is to be able to explain the agenda and policy results if on the one hand, for example, actor constellations change after elections or, on the other hand, the central actors have unclear preferences.

literature

  • John W. Kingdon: Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies. Little, Brown and Company, Boston 1984.
  • Roger Cobb: Review: John W. Kingdon: Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies. In: Journal of Health Politics , Policy and Law Vol. 10, No. 2, 1985, pp. 410-414.