In this case study, Theory of Change was used to understand the driving forces and advocacy efforts behind the creation of each individual state's medical marijuana laws in order to determine if vulnerable populations were considered during the policy-making process. Theory of Change is a relatively new theoretical framework developed in the early 2000's by Organizational Research Services as a conceptual model for how policy change occurs. It is a tool used for developing solutions to complicated social problems and depicts how a complex change initiative can unfold over time. Theory of Change also explains how long and short-term outcomes can be used to achieve long-range goals. When used respectability in relation to social policies, Theory …show more content…
“Messaging and Framework” or “Prospect Theory” – policy change that is influenced by information and how it is presented. This theory suggests that decisions will be made upon how the various solutions or alternatives to address a social problem are presented or framed.
“Media Influence”or “Agenda-Setting Theory” – policy change occurs when political issues reach or are set on the public agenda through the influence of the media i.e. the extent of coverage a given issues received by mass new media and, more increasingly important, social media.
“Grassroots” or “Community Organizing Theory” – the belief, challenging the Power Elites Theory, that policy change can be made through collective actions by community members seeking solutions to the problems affecting their lives.
“Group Formation” or “Self-Categorization Theory” – similar to both “Grassroots Theory,” and
“Coalition Theory” – policy change that occurs based upon the influence of a group of individuals who identify with one another based on similar values, attitudes, or experiences with a desire to collectively solve a …show more content…
For example, while not labeled as Theory of Change, Birkland (2011), in his text, An Introduction to the Policy Process, addresses many of these same concepts in his introduction of the policy process. Power Politics Theory and Grassroots Theory are two examples of how the Theory of Change sub-theories are similar to the concepts found in Birkland (2011). In discussing the models of power in relation to the policy-making process, Birkland (2011) introduces elite theory which suggests that relatively few people—in key positions in government, industry, academe, the media, and other institutions control a disproportionate share of the nation's economic and political resources—dominate the policy making process. In juxtaposition to elite theory, Birkland (2011) introduces the concept of group coalescence which states that groups will form based on their values and beliefs. As groups coalesce and grow in size they can attract greater attention from policy makers, thereby balancing the power of the