Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Policy Sciences 4/2022

13.11.2022 | Research Article

Politicking with evidence: examining evidence-based issues in electoral policy narratives

verfasst von: Laura Wolton, Deserai A. Crow

Erschienen in: Policy Sciences | Ausgabe 4/2022

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The construction, influence, and strategic use of narratives to influence policy decisions have garnered increased scholarly attention over the past decade as the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) has matured within the policy studies field. Our prior analysis extended the NPF scholarship to examine electoral policy narrative construction during the 2018 elections. We found that the NPF can apply to electoral politics, but there are differences in how electoral policy narratives are constructed according to candidate party, gender, and electoral outcomes. Analyzing the narratives from both Republican and Democratic campaigns in U.S. House swing districts, here we assess whether policy issues can be differentiated based on their use of evidence and examine narratives to understand if there are systematic differences of construction according to policy issue type. The findings suggest that narrative use of evidence by congressional campaigns varies strategically and systematically by policy issue. Overall, the article presents a novel application of NPF analysis across policy domains while proposing a relationship between evidence and the setting and moral of the story element of narrative form based on issue type.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Anhänge
Nur mit Berechtigung zugänglich
Fußnoten
1
Hudler, J. A swing district is a congressional district that shows a reasonable chance of changing from representation by one political party to the other. Due to the partisan process of gerrymandering in drawing congressional maps in the U.S., there are fewer competitive districts than ever before. Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University: https://​gai.​georgetown.​edu/​the-houses-competitiveness-problem-or-lack-thereof/​.
 
2
NC-09 is considered undetermined because the Republican victory was later nullified due to election fraud when the State Board of Elections refused to certify the outcome. McDonald, J. “Republican Dan Bishop defeats Democrat Dan McCready in redo of North Carolina House race, NBC News projects,” September 10, 2019, CNBC: https://​www.​cnbc.​com/​2019/​09/​10/​dan-bishop-beats-dan-mccready-in-north-carolina-house-special-election.​html.
 
3
See more on dictionary design in Wolton, L.P., Crow, D.A., & Heikkila, T. Stepping forward: Towards a more systematic NPF with automation. In Narratives and the Policy Process: Applications of the Narrative Policy Framework, Michael D. Jones, Mark K. McBeth, and Elizabeth A. Shanahan (eds.), Montana State University Press, 2022. https://​doi.​org/​10.​15788/​npf3
 
4
Employment here refers to workers, labor, unions, and wage topics while economy includes broader discussions of employment rates and other factors that relate to the economy.
 
5
Although these are the top categories associated with the use of evidence, they are not necessarily indicative of the party that produced the most narratives in each category. For instance, Democrats produced more narratives on employment, while Republicans produced significantly more immigration narratives.
 
6
The reader should remember that Tweets without policy referents were filtered out.
 
7
General solutions are not included in Table 3 but are also associated with above-average use of evidence (9.82%). It was not included because there is no comparable issue category for general solutions even though a general solution may be presented with an issue in a narrative. Example: “Releasing 42,000 documents the night before the hearing does not count as transparency.” The implied fix is the need for more transparency which is not an issue-specific solution.
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Birkland, T. A. (2004). Learning and policy improvement after disaster. American Behavioral Scientist, 48(3), 341–364.CrossRef Birkland, T. A. (2004). Learning and policy improvement after disaster. American Behavioral Scientist, 48(3), 341–364.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ben-Nun Bloom, P., & Courtemanche, M. (2019). "Men prefer redheads": Media framing of polls and its effect on trust in media. In O. Feldman & S. Zmerli (Eds.), The psychology of political communicators: How politicians, culture, and the media construct and shape public discourse (Vol. 6., pp. 204–224). Ben-Nun Bloom, P., & Courtemanche, M. (2019). "Men prefer redheads": Media framing of polls and its effect on trust in media. In O. Feldman & S. Zmerli (Eds.), The psychology of political communicators: How politicians, culture, and the media construct and shape public discourse (Vol. 6., pp. 204–224).
Zurück zum Zitat Cairney, P. (2016). The politics of evidence-based policy making. Palgrave Pivot. Cairney, P. (2016). The politics of evidence-based policy making. Palgrave Pivot.
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., Albright, E. A., & Koebele, E. A. (2019). Stakeholder participation and strategy in rulemaking: A comparative analysis. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 19(2), 208–235.CrossRef Crow, D. A., Albright, E. A., & Koebele, E. A. (2019). Stakeholder participation and strategy in rulemaking: A comparative analysis. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 19(2), 208–235.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., Albright, E. A., & Koebele, E. A. (2020). Evaluating stakeholder participation and influence on state-level rulemaking. Policy Studies Journal, 48(4), 953–981.CrossRef Crow, D. A., Albright, E. A., & Koebele, E. A. (2020). Evaluating stakeholder participation and influence on state-level rulemaking. Policy Studies Journal, 48(4), 953–981.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., & Berggren, J. (2014). Using the narrative policy framework to understand stakeholder strategy and effectiveness: A multi-case analysis. In M. D. Jones, E. A. Shanahan, & M. K. McBeth (Eds.), The science of stories: Applications of the narrative policy framework in public policy analysis. Palgrave Macmillan. Crow, D. A., & Berggren, J. (2014). Using the narrative policy framework to understand stakeholder strategy and effectiveness: A multi-case analysis. In M. D. Jones, E. A. Shanahan, & M. K. McBeth (Eds.), The science of stories: Applications of the narrative policy framework in public policy analysis. Palgrave Macmillan.
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., & Jones, M. D. (2018). Narratives as tools for influencing policy change. Policy & Politics, 46(2), 217–234.CrossRef Crow, D. A., & Jones, M. D. (2018). Narratives as tools for influencing policy change. Policy & Politics, 46(2), 217–234.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., Lawhon, L. A., Berggren, J., Huda, J., Koebele, E. A., & Kroepsch, A. (2017). A narrative policy framework analysis of wildfire policy discussions in two Colorado communities. Politics & Policy, 45(4), 626–656.CrossRef Crow, D. A., Lawhon, L. A., Berggren, J., Huda, J., Koebele, E. A., & Kroepsch, A. (2017). A narrative policy framework analysis of wildfire policy discussions in two Colorado communities. Politics & Policy, 45(4), 626–656.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Crow, D. A., & Wolton, L. (2020). Talking policy in congressional campaigns: Construction of policy narratives in electoral politics. Politics & Policy, 48(4), 658–699.CrossRef Crow, D. A., & Wolton, L. (2020). Talking policy in congressional campaigns: Construction of policy narratives in electoral politics. Politics & Policy, 48(4), 658–699.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Donahue, A. K., Eckel, C. C., & Wilson, R. K. (2014). Ready or not? How citizens and public officials perceive risk and preparedness. The American Review of Public Administration, 44(4 suppl), 89S-111S.CrossRef Donahue, A. K., Eckel, C. C., & Wilson, R. K. (2014). Ready or not? How citizens and public officials perceive risk and preparedness. The American Review of Public Administration, 44(4 suppl), 89S-111S.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ertas, N. (2015). Policy narratives and public opinion concerning charter schools. Politics & Policy, 43(3), 426–451.CrossRef Ertas, N. (2015). Policy narratives and public opinion concerning charter schools. Politics & Policy, 43(3), 426–451.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gupta, K., Ripberger, J. T., & Collins, S. (2014). The strategic us of policy narratives: Jaitapur and the politics of siting a nuclear power plant in India. Springer. Gupta, K., Ripberger, J. T., & Collins, S. (2014). The strategic us of policy narratives: Jaitapur and the politics of siting a nuclear power plant in India. Springer.
Zurück zum Zitat Han, H. C. (2009). Moved to action: Motivation, participation, and inequality in American politics. Standford University Press Han, H. C. (2009). Moved to action: Motivation, participation, and inequality in American politics. Standford University Press
Zurück zum Zitat Jenkins-Smith, H., Nohrstedt, D., Weible, C. M., & Sabatier, P. A. (2014). The advocacy coalition framework: Foundations, evolution, and ongoing research. Theories of the Policy Process, 3, 183–224. Jenkins-Smith, H., Nohrstedt, D., Weible, C. M., & Sabatier, P. A. (2014). The advocacy coalition framework: Foundations, evolution, and ongoing research. Theories of the Policy Process, 3, 183–224.
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, M. D. (2010). Heroes and villains: Cultural narratives, mass opinions, and climate change. University of Oklahoma. Jones, M. D. (2010). Heroes and villains: Cultural narratives, mass opinions, and climate change. University of Oklahoma.
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, M. D. (2013). Cultural characters and climate change: How heroes shape our perception of climate science. Social Science Quarterly, 95(1), 1–39.CrossRef Jones, M. D. (2013). Cultural characters and climate change: How heroes shape our perception of climate science. Social Science Quarterly, 95(1), 1–39.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, M. D., & Crow, D. A. (2018). Mastering the art of the narrative: Using stories to shape public policy. Impact of Social Sciences Blog. Jones, M. D., & Crow, D. A. (2018). Mastering the art of the narrative: Using stories to shape public policy. Impact of Social Sciences Blog.
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, M. D., & McBeth, M. K. (2010). A narrative policy framework: Clear enough to be wrong? Policy Studies Journal, 38(2), 329.CrossRef Jones, M. D., & McBeth, M. K. (2010). A narrative policy framework: Clear enough to be wrong? Policy Studies Journal, 38(2), 329.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Shanahan, E. A. (Eds.). (2014). Introducing the narrative policy framework. In The Science of Stories : Applications of the Narrative policy framework in public policy analysis (pp. 1–25). Palgrave Macmillan. Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Shanahan, E. A. (Eds.). (2014). Introducing the narrative policy framework. In The Science of Stories : Applications of the Narrative policy framework in public policy analysis (pp. 1–25). Palgrave Macmillan.
Zurück zum Zitat Kahan, D. M. (2014). Making climate-science communication evidence-based. Culture, politics and climate change: How information shapes our common future, 203. Kahan, D. M. (2014). Making climate-science communication evidence-based. Culture, politics and climate change: How information shapes our common future, 203.
Zurück zum Zitat Lindblom, C. E., & Cohen, D. K. (1979). Usable knowledge: Social science and social problem solving (Vol. 21). Yale University Press. Lindblom, C. E., & Cohen, D. K. (1979). Usable knowledge: Social science and social problem solving (Vol. 21). Yale University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat McBeth, M. K., Jones, M. D., & Shanahan, E. A. (2014a). The narrative policy framework. In P. A. Sabatier & C. M. Weible (Eds.), Theories of the policy process. Westview Press. McBeth, M. K., Jones, M. D., & Shanahan, E. A. (2014a). The narrative policy framework. In P. A. Sabatier & C. M. Weible (Eds.), Theories of the policy process. Westview Press.
Zurück zum Zitat McBeth, M. K., Lybecker, D. L., & Husmann, M. A. (2014b). The narrative policy framework and the practitioner: Communicating recycling policy. In M. D. Jones, M. K. McBeth, & E. A. Shanahan (Eds.), The science of stories. Springer. McBeth, M. K., Lybecker, D. L., & Husmann, M. A. (2014b). The narrative policy framework and the practitioner: Communicating recycling policy. In M. D. Jones, M. K. McBeth, & E. A. Shanahan (Eds.), The science of stories. Springer.
Zurück zum Zitat Merry, M. K. (2016). Constructing policy narratives in 140 characters or less: The case of gun policy organizations. Policy Studies Journal, 44(4), 373–395.CrossRef Merry, M. K. (2016). Constructing policy narratives in 140 characters or less: The case of gun policy organizations. Policy Studies Journal, 44(4), 373–395.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Merry, M. K. (2020). Warped narratives: Distortion in the framing of gun policy. University of Michigan Press.CrossRef Merry, M. K. (2020). Warped narratives: Distortion in the framing of gun policy. University of Michigan Press.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Morris, J. S. (2005). The fox news factor. Harvard International Journal of Press/politics, 10(3), 56–79.CrossRef Morris, J. S. (2005). The fox news factor. Harvard International Journal of Press/politics, 10(3), 56–79.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pearce, W., Wesselink, A., & Colebatch, H. (2014). Evidence and meaning in policy making. Evidence & Policy, 10(2), 161–165.CrossRef Pearce, W., Wesselink, A., & Colebatch, H. (2014). Evidence and meaning in policy making. Evidence & Policy, 10(2), 161–165.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peterson, D. A. M. (2018). The dynamic construction of candidate image. Electoral Studies, 54, 289–296.CrossRef Peterson, D. A. M. (2018). The dynamic construction of candidate image. Electoral Studies, 54, 289–296.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Schlaufer, C. (2018). The narrative uses of evidence. Policy Studies Journal, 46(1), 90–118.CrossRef Schlaufer, C. (2018). The narrative uses of evidence. Policy Studies Journal, 46(1), 90–118.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Shanahan, E. A., Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Lane, R. R. (2013). An angel on the wind: How heroic policy narratives shape policy realities. Policy Studies Journal, 41(3), 453–483.CrossRef Shanahan, E. A., Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Lane, R. R. (2013). An angel on the wind: How heroic policy narratives shape policy realities. Policy Studies Journal, 41(3), 453–483.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Shanahan, E. A., Adams, S. M., Jones, M. D., & McBeth, M. K. (2014). The blame game: Narrative persuasiveness of the intentional causal mechanism. The science of stories (pp. 69–88). Springer. Shanahan, E. A., Adams, S. M., Jones, M. D., & McBeth, M. K. (2014). The blame game: Narrative persuasiveness of the intentional causal mechanism. The science of stories (pp. 69–88). Springer.
Zurück zum Zitat Shanahan, E. A., Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Radaelli, C. (2018). The narrative policy framework. In C. M. Weible & P. A. Sabatier (Eds.), Theories of the policy process (4th ed., pp. 173–213). Westview Press.CrossRef Shanahan, E. A., Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Radaelli, C. (2018). The narrative policy framework. In C. M. Weible & P. A. Sabatier (Eds.), Theories of the policy process (4th ed., pp. 173–213). Westview Press.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Smith-Walter, A., Peterson, H. L., Jones, M. D., & Marshall, A. (2016). Gun stories: How evidence shapes firearm policy in the United States. Politics & Policy, 44(6), 1053–1088.CrossRef Smith-Walter, A., Peterson, H. L., Jones, M. D., & Marshall, A. (2016). Gun stories: How evidence shapes firearm policy in the United States. Politics & Policy, 44(6), 1053–1088.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stevens, A. (2007). Survival of the ideas that fit: An evolutionary analogy for the use of evidence in policy. Social Policy and Society, 6(01), 25–35.CrossRef Stevens, A. (2007). Survival of the ideas that fit: An evolutionary analogy for the use of evidence in policy. Social Policy and Society, 6(01), 25–35.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wagner, J. M., Nick, & DeBonis, M. (2018). Trump reverses course, signs order ending his policy of separating families at the border. The Washington Post. Wagner, J. M., Nick, & DeBonis, M. (2018). Trump reverses course, signs order ending his policy of separating families at the border. The Washington Post.
Zurück zum Zitat Weible, C. M., & Sabatier, P. A. (2009). Coalitions, science, and belief change: Comparing adversarial and collaborative policy subsystems. Policy Studies Journal, 37(2), 195–212.CrossRef Weible, C. M., & Sabatier, P. A. (2009). Coalitions, science, and belief change: Comparing adversarial and collaborative policy subsystems. Policy Studies Journal, 37(2), 195–212.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Zanocco, C., Song, G., & Jones, M. D. (2017). Fracking bad guys: Narrative character affect in public opinion about hydraulic fracturing. Available at SSRN 3033321. Zanocco, C., Song, G., & Jones, M. D. (2017). Fracking bad guys: Narrative character affect in public opinion about hydraulic fracturing. Available at SSRN 3033321.
Metadaten
Titel
Politicking with evidence: examining evidence-based issues in electoral policy narratives
verfasst von
Laura Wolton
Deserai A. Crow
Publikationsdatum
13.11.2022
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Policy Sciences / Ausgabe 4/2022
Print ISSN: 0032-2687
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-0891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-022-09478-y

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 4/2022

Policy Sciences 4/2022 Zur Ausgabe

Premium Partner