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24 CHAPTER 3 Figure 3.2 Classification of beliefs • •


Core beliefs (c) (paradigms)


Not specific to one particular policy problem or area


Include normative beliefs and values; linked to ideologies


•Rarely ever change


Types of beliefs


Central policy beliefs (p1)


Policy beliefs (p)


Instrumental policy beliefs (p2)


Specific beliefs • Causal and factual beliefs (f)


Can be changed by evidence (statistics, research results, etc.)


Source: Authors.


the relations between interests and beliefs can be complex. The same eco- nomic interest may be associated with different types of instrumental policy beliefs and different types of factual and causal beliefs. In most economics- based explanations of policy choices, beliefs are considered to be endogenous to economic interests and hence are not accorded any explanatory power of their own. Phrased differently, it is assumed that individuals “select” the belief systems that best further their interests. By implication, beliefs are stable, and they will change only if the individuals’ interests change. Some public-choice models consider ideology next to interests as an independent factor in explaining policy choices. Because neoclassical economics assumes preferences are assumed to be fixed, ideological positions are considered to be stable as well.


In political science and sociology, it is common to conceptualize ideol- ogy and beliefs separately from interests. The Advocacy Coalition Frame- work (Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith 1993) has been used extensively to study how and under which conditions advocacy coalitions change their beliefs in situations where no change in material interests has taken place (see “Policy-Oriented Learning”). Here, the relation between interests and beliefs is considered to be an empirical question. Importantly, not all members of a


Beliefs about facts Beliefs about


causal mechanisms


•Linked to core beliefs •Difficult to change


• •


Refer to technical aspects of policies


Can be changed by evidence and dialogue


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