Explaining Causes and Dynamics of Policy Change and Policy Deadlock

Chapter 2 synthesises the literature on factors contributing to party policy change and the literature on causal mechanisms that account for policy change or policy deadlock. This chapter discusses theories that address internal and external factors that influence parties’ positions, focusing on external tradition, arguing that it provides a more complete explanation of the change. It also examines the scholarship on causal mechanisms, which are crucial in illuminating decision-making processes. The chapter finishes with the discussion of comparative case study method, data collection and data analysis processes.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, UK Anna McKeever

1. Anna McKeever