An Effective Alternative, Policy Experimentation, and the Multiple Streams Framework: An Empirical Study of Chinese Rural Governance Policy Output

作者：Peng, Zhengbo; Yang, Su^*; Dong, Liying; Sun, Jinhan

来源：SAGE Open, 2024, 14(1): 21582440231220104.

DOI：10.1177/21582440231220104

• partially coupling
• an effective alternative
• policy experimentation
• policy output
• multiple streams framework

Although the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) has abundant research, the mechanism of partial couplings to complete coupling remains to be investigated. The study extends the MSF using the perspective of generating effective alternatives in the policy stream to explain the dynamic of the policy process. This article is an empirical study that compares two cases under the same holistic policy issues. We propose the multiple streams framework based on goal-oriented "policy solutions" to explain the process of Chinese rural governance policy output. The results show that: First, the partial coupling (politics and problems) opens the policy window for policy formulation, which drives the policy stream forming. Second, the periodic stability windows are a realistic path to accelerate the policy stream process. Third, policy experimentation constitutes an essential tool for formulating effective options. Further comparing the policy stream in the MSF with the policy stream in this study found clear differences. @@@ This article aims to explore the evolutionary mechanism of partial coupling (problems and politics) to complete coupling in the MSF. We propose a theoretical framework based on goal-oriented "policy options" elaborating on the dynamics of the policy process. This study is an empirical study by using the method of comparing two cases under the same holistic policy theme. We conclude the conclusion: First, partial coupling (politics and problems) opens the policy window for policy formulation, which drives the policy stream forming. Second, the periodic stability windows are a realistic path to accelerate the policy stream process. Third, policy experimentation constitutes an essential tool for formulating effective options. According to the different results of the two comparative cases, further comparing the MSF's policy stream with this study's policy stream in this study found clear differences. The implication of this study enriches the research of the causal mechanism of the policy process, which facilitates corrections and adjustments for better application to dynamic policy environments. However, it needs to further explore the specific role of policy windows in the policy stream and the specific path of policy experimentation optimization.

• 单位
  桂林理工大学