Revisiting Policy-Making Processes: A Critical Review of Power, Interests, and Institutions
Keywords:
policy-making process, power relations, political interests, institutions, governance, critical review
Abstract
This study critically reviews the dynamics of policy-making processes by examining the interplay of power, interests, and institutions within contemporary governance systems. Drawing on a wide range of literature, the review challenges rational–linear models of policy formulation by highlighting how political actors, elite interests, and institutional arrangements shape policy outcomes. The analysis underscores that policy-making is not a neutral or technocratic process, but rather a contested arena where competing interests negotiate, dominate, and influence decisions. Furthermore, institutional frameworks are shown to both constrain and enable actors, reinforcing asymmetries of power across different governance levels. The review also explores how informal networks and political bargaining often override formal procedures, particularly in developing contexts. By synthesizing critical perspectives, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of policy complexity and calls for more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance approaches in addressing contemporary policy challenges.
Keywords: policy-making process; power relations; political interests; institutions; governance; critical review
References
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Sabatier, P. A. (2007). Theories of the policy process (2nd ed.). Westview Press.
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Thelen, K. (1999). Historical institutionalism in comparative politics. Annual Review of Political Science, 2, 369–404. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.369
Tsebelis, G. (2002). Veto players: How political institutions work. Princeton University Press.
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Bardhan, P. (2002). Decentralization of governance and development. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16(4), 185–205. https://doi.org/10.1257/089533002320951037
Bauer, M. W., Peters, B. G., Pierre, J., Yesilkagit, K., & Becker, S. (2021). Democratic backsliding and public administration. Cambridge University Press.
Baumgartner, F. R., Jones, B. D., & Mortensen, P. B. (2009). Punctuated equilibrium theory: Explaining stability and change in public policymaking. American Political Science Review, 103(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055409990267
Béland, D., & Cox, R. H. (2011). Ideas and politics in social science research. Governance, 24(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0491.2010.01504.x
Bevir, M. (2010). Democratic governance. Princeton University Press.
Bouwen, P. (2002). Corporate lobbying in the European Union: The logic of access. Journal of European Public Policy, 9(3), 365–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501760210138796
Cairney, P. (2012). Understanding public policy: Theories and issues. Palgrave Macmillan.
Carey, J. M. (2006). Legislative organization. In B. R. Weingast & D. A. Wittman (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of political economy (pp. 431–454). Oxford University Press.
Crawford, S. E. S., & Ostrom, E. (1995). A grammar of institutions. American Political Science Review, 89(3), 582–600. https://doi.org/10.2307/2082975
Faguet, J. P. (2014). Decentralization and governance. World Development, 53, 2–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.01.002
Fawcett, P., Flinders, M., Hay, C., & Wood, M. (2017). Anti-politics, depoliticization, and governance. Policy & Politics, 45(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557317X14845830916795
Fischer, F., & Gottweis, H. (2012). The argumentative turn revisited: Public policy as communicative practice. Duke University Press.
Flinders, M., & Wood, M. (2014). Depoliticisation, governance and the state. Policy & Politics, 42(2), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557314X13904856792932
Follett, M. P. (1975). Dynamic administration: The collected papers of Mary Parker Follett. Harper & Row.
Gaventa, J. (1980). Power and powerlessness: Quiescence and rebellion in an Appalachian valley. University of Illinois Press.
Grindle, M. S. (2012). Good governance revisited. Development Policy Review, 30(5), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7679.2012.00591.x
Hall, P. A., & Taylor, R. C. R. (1996). Political science and the three new institutionalisms. Political Studies, 44(5), 936–957. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9248.1996.tb00343.x
Howlett, M., Ramesh, M., & Wu, X. (2017). Policy design: From tools to toolkits. Policy Sciences, 50(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-016-9262-1
Kingdon, J. W. (2011). Agendas, alternatives, and public policies (2nd ed.). Longman.
Klijn, E. H., & Koppenjan, J. (2016). Governance networks in the public sector. Routledge.
Klijn, E. H., Steijn, B., & Edelenbos, J. (2010). The impact of network management on outcomes in governance networks. Public Administration, 88(4), 1063–1082. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.2010.01826.x
Lukes, S. (1974). Power: A radical view. Macmillan.
Lukes, S. (2005). Power: A radical view (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
Lynn, L. E., Heinrich, C. J., & Hill, C. J. (2000). Studying governance and public management: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 10(2), 233–261. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jpart.a024270
Mahoney, J., & Thelen, K. (2010). Explaining institutional change: Ambiguity, agency, and power. Cambridge University Press.
Mounk, Y. (2018). The people vs. democracy: Why our freedom is in danger and how to save it. Harvard University Press.
Osborne, S. P. (2010). The new public governance? Emerging perspectives on the theory and practice of public governance. Routledge.
Ostrom, E. (2005). Understanding institutional diversity. Princeton University Press.
Peters, B. G. (2011). Governance as political theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
Pierre, J., & Peters, B. G. (2000). Governance, politics and the state. Macmillan.
Pierson, P. (2000). Increasing returns, path dependence, and the study of politics. American Political Science Review, 94(2), 251–267. https://doi.org/10.2307/2586011
Pierson, P. (2004). Politics in time: History, institutions, and social analysis. Princeton University Press.
Rhodes, R. A. W. (2007). Understanding governance: Ten years on. Open University Press.
Sabatier, P. A. (2007). Theories of the policy process (2nd ed.). Westview Press.
Stoker, G. (2019). The rise of populism and the crisis of democracy. Springer.
Thelen, K. (1999). Historical institutionalism in comparative politics. Annual Review of Political Science, 2, 369–404. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.369
Tsebelis, G. (2002). Veto players: How political institutions work. Princeton University Press.
Weible, C. M., Sabatier, P. A., & McQueen, K. (2020). Themes and variations: Taking stock of the advocacy coalition framework. Annual Review of Political Science, 23, 189–207. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-050718-095138
Published
2026-04-24
How to Cite
Dhian Tyas Untari, Syarif , A., Sudhana, H., Maulana, M. F., Ardini, N. M., & Kamil, M. (2026). Revisiting Policy-Making Processes: A Critical Review of Power, Interests, and Institutions. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(02), 443-455. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i02.3251
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