Multiple Streams Framework

Overview

Kingdon's multiple streams framework (1984) explains policy change through the convergence of three independent streams: problems, policies, and politics. When these streams couple — often catalyzed by a policy entrepreneur — a policy window opens, creating an opportunity for policy adoption.

When to Use

Trigger conditions:

• Explaining why a particular policy was adopted at a particular time
• Identifying windows of opportunity for policy advocacy
• Analyzing the role of policy entrepreneurs in agenda-setting

When NOT to use:

• When analyzing governance structures and multi-actor arrangements (use governance theory)
• When studying rational-comprehensive policy analysis (use cost-benefit analysis)
• When examining self-interested behavior of public officials (use public choice theory)

Assumptions