The Value of Words: Narrative as Evidence in Policy Making

Evidence and Policy, Vol. 10, Issue # 2, May 2014

Cornell Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-23

18 Pages Posted: 27 Aug 2014

See all articles by Dmitry Epstein

Dmitry Epstein

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Department of Communication and the Federmann School of Public Policy

Cynthia R. Farina

Cornell Law School

Josiah Heidt

Cornell Law School

Date Written: May 1, 2014

Abstract

Policy makers today rely primarily on technical data as their basis for decision making. Yet, there is a potentially underestimated value in substantive reflections of the members of the public who will be affected by a particular regulation. Viewing professional policy makers and professional commenters as a community of practice, we describe their limited shared repertoire with the lay members of the public as a significant barrier to participation. Based on our work with Regulation Room, we offer an initial typology of narratives -- complexity, contributory context, unintended consequences, and reframing -- as a first step towards overcoming conceptual barriers to effective civic engagement in policy making.

Keywords: evidence-based policy making, narrative, rulemaking, civic engagement

Suggested Citation

Epstein, Dmitry and Farina, Cynthia R. and Heidt, Josiah, The Value of Words: Narrative as Evidence in Policy Making (May 1, 2014). Evidence and Policy, Vol. 10, Issue # 2, May 2014, Cornell Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-23, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2473604

Dmitry Epstein

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Department of Communication and the Federmann School of Public Policy ( email )

Mount Scopus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905
Israel

Cynthia R. Farina (Contact Author)

Cornell Law School ( email )

Myron Taylor Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-4901
United States
607-225-5879 (Phone)
607-255-7193 (Fax)

Josiah Heidt

Cornell Law School ( email )

Myron Taylor Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-4901
United States

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