A Micro Model of Problem Definition and Policy Choice: Issue Image, Issue Association, and Policy Support of Power Plants. Issue 1 (28th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xinsheng; Robinson, Scott; Vedlitz, Arnold
• Is Part Of: Policy studies journal. Volume 48:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2017-11-28
• Subjects: problem definition -- issue image -- issue association -- policy support -- energy -- power plant; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 320.6
• DOI: 10.1111/psj.12233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-292X

Abstract

Abstract : Past research on problem definition and public policy primarily focuses on the macro‐system level. In this study, we propose a micro model of problem definition and policy choice at the individual level. We argue that while individual citizens' problem definitions and policy preferences are rooted in and filtered through their predisposition characteristics (such as socioeconomic status, political orientation, and informational base), their policy choices also strongly depend on how they define public issues, particularly how they perceive the image of an issue at hand and how they associate the issue with other public issues. Our empirical analyses, based on data from a national public survey on energy and power plant issues, support the key propositions derived from our theoretical model. Key contributions to and implications for policy studies are discussed in conclusion. 摘要: 以往对于问题定义和公共政策的研究, 主要集中在宏观系统层面。在本研究中, 我们提出一种围绕个人层面上的问题定义和政策选择而建立的微观模型。我们认为, 虽然个体公民的问题定义和政策偏好, 植根于个人的倾向特质（如社会经济地位、政治倾向, 信息基础等）之中, 或是经过这些特质的过滤, 但其政策选择也强烈依赖于他们个人是如何界定公共问题的, 尤其是他们是如何认知特定公共问题的形象、以及他们是如何将这一问题与其他公共问题进行关联的。基于能源发电厂问题的全国性调查数据, 我们的实证分析支持了我们由理论模型推导而出的主要命题。本文对公共政策研究的主要贡献和意义将在结论部分进行具体讨论。