The Network Science of Public Policy Diffusion

Abstract

Abstract For over half a century, rigorous empirical analysis of the patterns according to which policies have spread across governments has led to a substantial accumulation of knowledge regarding the attributes of governments and policies that predict the spread of policy. Recently, a more thorough integration of policy diffusion research with relational and network approaches to analysis has led to insights regarding the pathways that connect governments and facilitate the diffusion of policies. This chapter reviews recent developments regarding network approaches to policy diffusion research, and unifies these findings and ideas as the “network science of public policy diffusion.” The chapter also offers guidance regarding directions in which the study of policy diffusion research can be advanced through network scientific approaches. Specifically, it suggests that researchers look to the policy networks literature for theoretical innovation, and that the adoption of multilayer network analysis methods would facilitate substantial advancements in the empirical analysis of the systems determinants of public policy diffusion.