A Review of Political Science Literature
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 July 2025
This chapter reviews the extensive and still growing literature in political science concerning the study of policy transformation using the perspective of punctuated equilibrium. Many areas of public policy, including tobacco use, public budgeting, same-sex marriage, and public safety and welfare have followed the trajectories suggested by this perspective. Studies from different countries and from international relations also show promising evidence in support of this perspective.
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