Work

Why Some Critical Junctures Lead Nowhere: Exploring Dynamic and Static Policy Paths

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Some critical junctures fail to cause significant change in practice. Inspired by historical institutionalism, this article develops the concept of dynamic and static policy paths to explain why some critical junctures do not lead to change, while others do. Combining insights from policy process literature and policy implementation, it conceptualizes critical junctures through four elements: framing, targets, instruments, and actors/institutions. Based on two case studies, the article argues that the importance of framing and targets has been overexaggerated, and that a dynamic path will not occur unless there is also a significant change in instruments and actors/institutions. In Denmark, a climate policy agreement created a new policy direction for agriculture in which climate policy is a key component. In Norway, a climate policy agreement did not change the trajectory of sectoral policy and climate policy development has remained stagnant. Thus, differences in the critical junctures led to different policy paths.

Source: Governance

DOI: 10.1111/gove.70152

Author: Katrine Skagen

Institutions: University of Oslo, CICERO Center for International Climate Research

Language: English

Topic: Policy Transfer and Learning

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730