Narrative Analysis in Public Policy

Narrative analysis has emerged as a vital approach in public policy studies, centring on the way stories frame issues, assign roles and guide action. By examining the characters, plotlines and underlying moral arguments within policy discourse, researchers uncover how narratives construct problems, justify solutions and mobilise support or opposition. This perspective transcends a purely structural or institutional view of policymaking, emphasising the symbolic and communicative dimensions that shape policy agendas, design and implementation. Methods range from content analysis and interpretive approaches to mixed‐methods designs that integrate discourse network analysis and qualitative coding. Applications are found in environmental governance, social welfare reform, economic regulation and crisis management, illustrating the global reach of narrative inquiry. The approach highlights the interplay between dominant and counter‐narratives, the strategies by which actors expand or contain policy debates, and the ways in which narratives evolve in response to shifting political contexts. Such insights help policymakers and practitioners craft more persuasive communications, anticipate public reactions and design interventions that resonate with diverse audiences.

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Narrative Analysis in Public Policy publication trend

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Technical terms

Narrative Policy Framework (NPF): A theoretical approach for analysing how elements of storytelling in policy narratives—such as characters, plots and moral—shape policy processes and outcomes.

Policy narrative: A structured account that defines a policy problem, attributes causality, assigns responsibility and proposes solutions.

Political narrative: A story deployed by political actors to mobilise public opinion and articulate a broader vision beyond specific policy details.

Framing: The process of selecting and emphasising certain aspects of a narrative to influence interpretation and decision-making.

References

1. Policy narratives in forest fire management. Environmental Research Letters (2023).
2. When the political leader is the narrator: the political and policy dimensions of narratives. Policy Sciences (2023).
3. Post-Pandemic Greenness? How Central Banks Use Narratives to Become Green. Sustainability (2023).
4. The Narrative Policy Framework: A Traveler’s Guide to Policy Stories. Politische Vierteljahresschrift (2022).