Policy Network Theory as a Theory of Policy Change

Abstract

So far we have looked at the main features of policy network theory defined in terms of resource exchange over public policy among interdependent actors, paying particular attention to the nature of the resources that are exchanged. The next step is to develop this theory into a full-fledged theory of policy change. Some analysts consider that policy network theory is much better at explaining policy stability than policy change (see, for example, Thatcher, 1998, p. 394; Richardson, 2000, p. 1007), or even that ‘the concept of policy networks does not provide an explanation of policy change’ (Marsh and Rhodes, 1992, p. 261), but these views are mistaken.