A Study of Policy Entrepreneurs’ Settling Policy Conflicts
Wilbur Bing-Yan Lu*
Abstract
Based on the review of literature regarding the work of policy entrepreneurs, which focuses on the theoretical foundation and concepts about the roles they play, this study explores the policy conflict dimension of policy entrepreneurs and expansion and containment strategies of policy actors. Beginning with the discussion of policy conflict management and characteristics and capabilities of policy entrepreneurs, the author extends his discussion about Pralle’s strategies of expansion and containment and then presents the framework of policy entrepreneurs’ work on settling policy conflicts. As issue expansion and containment strategies are part of the larger battle over issue definition, the researcher puts forth the ability of issue definition and agenda-setting and emphasizes effective communication and mediation. And more important, policy entrepreneurs should move from passively settling policy conflicts to taking the initiative of issues management, and work on policy discourse which is significant to convince policy stakeholders and provide more diverse and valuable policy alternatives to decision-makers when they make the final policy choice.
Keywords: policy conflict, issues management, policy discourse, policy entrepreneurs
* Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Public Administration, National Dong Hwa University.