A Conceptual Framework for the Comparative Analysis of Policy Change: Measurement, Explanation and Strategies of Policy Dismantling

Policy literature mainly operates on the assumption of institutional stability and incremental policy change, with far less extensive discussion of policy dismantling and reversals.

“Policy literature mainly operates on the assumption of institutional stability and incremental policy change, and there is far less extensive discussion on policy dismantling and reversals (Bauer, Green-Pedersen, Héritier, & Jordan, 2012;Bauer & Knill, 2014).”

Formal policy standards-in particular in area of environmental protection-remain often untouched, while de facto breaches take place but are unlikely to be persecuted.

“Formal policy standards -in particular in the area of environmental protection -remain thus often untouched, while de facto breaches take place but are unlikely to be persecuted (Bauer & Knill, 2014;Morais de Sá e Silva, 2022).”

Analysts sometimes assume populist governments' intention to dismantle policy (especially environmental policy) without considering competing explanations, such as broader societal interests pushing for lower environmental policy standards.

“This is particularly the case when populist governments' intention to dismantle policy (especially environmental policy) is assumed without considering competing explanations, even if only to show that there are broader societal interests involved in pushing for lower environmental policy standards regardless of what quality the government of the day has (Bauer & Knill, 2014).”