Reconstructing Policy Theory

This article deals wifh theories in practice. A policy theory is defined as the fotal of causal and other assumptions underlying a PO/icy. It can be reconsttxted and represented in several ways, for instance by means of causal hypotheses, graphs, goal trees, and decision trees. A combination of these different ways of reconstrl~~tion is possible. The qi~aiity of a policy theory can be evaluated on the basis of several criteria, for exampIe, the precision of formulation, the differentiation, fhe integration, the empirical value, and the legitimacy of the policy theory. In order to get more insight in the determinants of policy theories, it is important to compare them in longitudinal and cross-sectional research. The structure and quality of policy theories have effects on the contents, the process, and the results of u policy. It is a plausible hypothesis thaf the goal uttainment of a policy will be higher as the precision, the diff<>rentiation, the integration, the empirical vahte. and the legitimacy of a policy theory are higher.