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Policy image resilience, multidimensionality, and policy image management: a study of US biofuel policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2014

Matthieu Mondou ,
Grace Skogstad  and
David Houle
Matthieu Mondou
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada E-mail: [email protected]
Grace Skogstad
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada E-mail: [email protected]
David Houle
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper contributes to our understanding of why delegitimising focusing events, combined with the mobilisation of policy losers, does not always result in major policy change by undermining a monopolistic policy image and policy subsystem. Based on a close enquiry of American biofuel policy development, it argues that we can make headway in this endeavour by focusing on three factors: first, the congruence of a policy image with core values of the polity; second, the multidimensionality of a policy image; and third, policy image management strategies that maintain cohesion among coalition supporters and respond to outside criticism. In understanding better why some policy images (and policy monopolies) prove resilient when they come under assault, this paper offers a single case plausibility probe supported by indicative evidence from other policy studies.

Keywords

biofuelscontent analysispolicy changepolicy imagepunctuated equilibrium theory
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Public Policy , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , April 2014 , pp. 155 - 180
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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