Learning by Mimicking and Modifying: A Model of Policy Knowledge Diffusion with Evidence from Legal Implementation

Abstract

I model learning from others’ policies when it is difficult to know what outcome a policy will produce. I adopt a recent formalization of partially invertible outcome signals to build a model of policy knowledge diffusion. The model merges variables, such as similarity\ and capacity that emerge from existing empirical research with previously unincorporated policy-making realities, such as continuous policy options and choices between mimicking and modifying another’s policy. Together, they produce an informational model of policy knowledge diffusion, which addresses "who," "how," and "when" questions. In addition to offering specific propositions, the model shifts the focus from the diffusion of specific policies to diffusion of information in policy areas. I provide initial empirical support by applying the model to questions of legal implementation within organizations. I summarize interviews with university attorneys describing how their institutions learn from each other when responding to the law (JEL C7, D81, D83, K20).