Does Policy Learning Meet the Standards of a Theory on the Policy Process?

Abstract

Policy learning is commonplace in the public policy literature but, the question whether it qualifies as analytical framework on the policy process has not been addressed systematically yet. We therefore appraise learning as analytical framework in relation to four standards: assumptions and micro-foundations; conceptual apparatus; observable implications; normative applications. We find that policy learning meets the standards, although its explanatory power varies across standards. Since we are not aware of theories of the policy process that meet all the standards all the time, and therefore conclude that policy learning fares reasonably well and it’s worth-investing intellectual resources in this field.