The policy dilemma: incrementalism, possibilism and complexity theory

Journal title RIV Rassegna Italiana di Valutazione
Author/s Nicoletta Stame
Publishing Year 2016 Issue 2015/62
Language Italian Pages 17 P. 103-119 File size 417 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIV2015-062009
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Through an ideal dialogue with Albert O. Hirschman and Charles Lindblom, in this article, I focus on how to envision and assess desired change. The most innovative contributions by Hirschman and Lindblom are still in tune with recent complexity theory-based approaches to policy analysis and evaluation. Departing from rational choice premises, I highlight learning and social mechanisms to mobilize those contextual resources, which are underutilized or hidden. The aim of this article is to shed light on those processual dimensions of change where to focus public policy analysis and evaluation.

Keywords: Incrementalism, Complexity Theory, Possibilism, Policy Evaluation, Causal Mechanisms, Social Change

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Nicoletta Stame, Hirschman, il possibilismo e la valutazione in "RIV Rassegna Italiana di Valutazione" 62/2015, pp 103-119, DOI: 10.3280/RIV2015-062009