A Multidimensional Operationalization of Policy Change

ABSTRACT Policy change is a core variable of policy process research. Several theories and frameworks distinguish different levels of policy change. These include minor change vs. major change (Advocacy Coalition Framework), incrementalism vs. nonincrementalism (Multiple Streams Framework), punctuations vs. equilibrium (Punctuated Equilibrium Theory), first order vs. second order vs. third order change (Policy Paradigm Perspective), and types of policy focus and policy content (Policy Design Perspective). However, public policy still lacks cross‐theoretical definitions and substantiated operationalizations of different levels of policy change. This paper conceptualizes policy change based on a combination of theories of the policy process. We propose the use of expert assessments to operationalize the multiple items to achieve a continuous and complex measurement of policy change that combines and refines previous categories. The example of German health policy illustrates the measurement of policy change according to experts in the field. Related Articles Bandelow, Nils C., Lina Y. Iskandar, Sofie Klingner, and Ilana Schröder. 2024. “From Local Networks to National Reform? Programmatic Groups in the Regionalization of German Health Policy.” Politics & Policy 52(6): 1310–1330. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12629 . Wright, John S. F. 2022. “Policy Change and the Failure of pro‐European Agency in the British Conservative Party: A Post‐structuralist Analysis.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 598–621. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12472 . English, Patrick, Maria T. Grasso, Barbara Buraczynska, Sotirios Karampampas, and Luke Temple. 2016. “Convergence on Crisis? Comparing Labour and Conservative Party Framing of the Economic Crisis in Britain, 2008–14.” Politics & Policy 44(3): 577–603. http://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12160 .