When Epistemic Communities Fail: Exploring the Mechanism of Policy Influence

• DOI: 10.1111/psj.12213
• Publication Date: 2017-08-26T13:56:42Z
• Authors: Olga Löblová
• Keywords: Scope (computer science); Epistemic community; Unpacking

Epistemic communities are an established concept in the study of international relations but can also explain policy change at domestic level. This article asks why some epistemic manage to convince decision makers their preferred policies while others do not. It suggests that reason lies causal mechanism communities' influence on makers, mediated by makers' demand for expert input. Most scholarship focuses single case studies where was strong and clear, leading overestimation groups' influence. To help correct this probable bias, compares a successful community (health technology assessment Poland) with unsuccessful example same (in Czech Republic). The juxtaposition allows unpacking necessary parts (emergence community, its activity, access suasion) separating them from crucial scope condition. Decision uncertainty about issue hand has traditionally been key condition Polish demonstrates be influential even highly certain areas routine policymaking, reconceptualization as policymakers' Demand originate various sources, any it affects individual mechanism, success or failure enterprise.