Using punctuated equilibrium theory to explain changes in policy outputs: The case of the United States Coast Guard

IF 1.4 Q2 POLITICAL SCIENCE

Politics & Policy Pub Date : 2024-10-18 DOI:10.1111/polp.12638

John C. Morris, Bennet K. Nyadzi

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Abstract

This article explores the utility of punctuated equilibrium (PE) theory in explaining revolutionary organizational change in the public sector and its effects on policy implementation, with a focus on the United States Coast Guard. We illustrate our model using data from in-depth interviews with current and former senior Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel, as well as secondary sources such as historical accounts and budget data. Through content analysis, we argue that PE theory begins with a change in the public sector organization's external environment, which then affects organizational strategy, structure, power distribution, and outputs. Punctuated equilibrium theory proves to be a valuable lens for understanding policy outputs in relation to organizational change.

Kwon, Sung-Wook, and Sylvia Gonzalez-Gorman. 2019. “Influence of Local Political Institutions on Policy Punctuation in Three Policy Areas.” Politics & Policy 47(2): 300–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12295.

Neill, Katharine A., and John C. Morris. 2012. “A Tangled Web of Principals and Agents: Examining the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill through a Principal–Agent Lens.”

Politics & Policy 40(4): 629–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00371.x.

Peng, Peiwen, and Tangzhe Cao. 2023. “Attention, Institutional Friction, and Punctuated Equilibrium in China's Budget: Changes in Social Security and Employment Expenditure.” Politics & Policy 51(2): 256–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12523.

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用点状均衡理论解释政策产出的变化：美国海岸警卫队案例

本文以美国海岸警卫队为重点，探讨了点状均衡（PE）理论在解释公共部门革命性组织变革及其对政策实施的影响方面的实用性。我们利用对现任和前任海岸警卫队高级军官和士兵的深入访谈数据，以及历史记录和预算数据等二手资料，对我们的模型进行了说明。通过内容分析，我们认为，PE 理论始于公共部门组织外部环境的变化，进而影响组织战略、结构、权力分配和产出。事实证明，均衡理论是理解与组织变革相关的政策产出的重要视角。相关文章 Kwon, Sung-Wook, and Sylvia Gonzalez-Gorman.2019."地方政治体制对三个政策领域政策均衡的影响》。Politics & Policy 47(2)：300–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12295. Neill, Katharine A., and John C. Morris.2012."A Tangled Web of Principals and Agents：通过委托人-代理人视角审视深水地平线漏油事件"。 Politics & Policy 40(4)：629-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00371.x. Peng, Peiwen, and Tangzhe Cao.2023."中国预算中的注意力、制度摩擦和脉冲均衡：社会保障和就业支出的变化"。Politics & Policy 51(2)：256–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12523.

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来源期刊

Politics & Policy POLITICAL SCIENCE-

CiteScore

2.50

自引率

23.10%

发文量