Public choice theory applies economic analysis to political decision making and behavior in government. It views the political system as a marketplace with voters, politicians, firms, and bureaucrats interacting. There are six major theories of how policy change occurs, such as through large disruptions, coalitions of groups with shared goals, or addressing problems, solutions, and political climate simultaneously. Finally, the document outlines a global agenda to invest in technology, broadband access, education, healthcare and address issues like cybercrime and terrorism through greater digitalization of government.

1. PUBLIC CHOICES
POLICY CHANGE
GLOBAL AGENDA
Edmar B. Cornejo

2. PUBLIC CHOICE
•study of political decision making.
•Public choice theory is derived from the
research of James Buchanan, Gary Becker,
Victor Fuchs, Richard McKenzie, and
Gordon Tullock.
•It applies the analysis most often associated
with the study of private markets to behavior
in government.
Public Choice Theory Has Been Used to
Study
Prejudice Spouse seeking
Immigration Marriage
Health Divorce
Crime Fertility

3. PUBLIC CHOICE AND THE POLITICAL
MARKETPLACE
Public choice theory applies the
economic way of thinking to the choices
that people and governments make in a
political marketplace.
The actors in the political marketplace
are:
 Voters
 Firms
 Politicians
 Bureaucrats

4. POLITICAL MARKET PLACE

5. POLICY CHANGE
major change in attitude, principle or
point of view
Six Theories about Policy Change
global theories developed by political
scientists to explain how various kinds of
advocacy strategies and conditions relate to
policy change
theories about common advocacy
strategies or tactics that are likely part of
broader advocacy efforts or campaigns.

6. 1. “Large Leaps” or Punctuated
Equilibrium Theory
(Baumgartner, Jones)
Political Science
How Change Happens ?
significant changes in policy and institutions
can occur when the right conditions are in
place.
This theory may be useful when
•Large-scale policy change is the primary
goal
•Strong capacity for media advocacy exists

8. 2. “Coalition” Theory or Advocacy
Coalition Framework
(Sabatier, Jenkins-Smith)
Political Science
How Change Happens ?
through coordinated activity among a
range of individuals with the same core
policy beliefs
This theory may be useful when
•A sympathetic administration is in office
•A strong group of allies with a common
goal is in place or can be formed

10. 3. “Policy Windows” or Agenda Setting
(Kingdon)
Political Science
How Change Happens ?
advocates successfully connect two or more
components of the policy process: the way a problem
is defined, the policy solution to the problem or the
political climate surrounding their issue.
This theory may be useful when
•Multiple policy streams can be addressed
simultaneously (problem definition, policy solutions
and/or political climate)
•Internal capacity exists to create, identify, and act on
policy windows

12. 4. “Messaging and Frameworks”
or Prospect Theory
(Tversky & Kahneman)
Psychology
How Change Happens ?
Individuals’ policy preferences or willingness to
accept them will vary depending on how options are
framed or presented.
This theory may be useful when
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 an issue’s
salience

14. 5. “Power Politics” or Power Elites Theory
(C. Wright Mills, Domhoff)
Sociology
How Change Happens ?
working directly with those with power
to make decisions or influence decision
making.
This theory may be useful when
One or more key allies is in place
The focus is on incremental policy change
(e.g., administrative or rule changes)

16. 6. “Grassroots” or Community Organizing
Theory
(Alinsky, Biklen)
Social Psychology
How Change Happens ?
collective action by members of the
community who work on changing problems
affecting their lives.
This theory may be useful when
A distinct group of individuals is directly
affected by an issue
The advocacy organization can and is
willing to play a “convener” or “capacity-builder”
role rather than the “driver” role

18. GLOBAL AGENDA
Invest in technology
Promote a global IT market
Accelerate the development of small and
medium-size enterprises
Ensure choice in government procurement
Encourage and enable research.
Expand broadband access
Create opportunities for youth
Improve education through greater use of
technology
Increase access for people with disabilities
and older adults

19. Embrace digital government
Improve health and healthcare
Strengthen efforts to fight cybercrime
Address energy and environmental
challenges
Privatisation
Terrorism