Abstract

About theoretical models of policy process model, policy scientists have pointed out the importance of adopting the viewpoints of the roles of analytical knowledge in public policy making since 70’s. In Japan, the importance of analyzing policy process by theoretical models has been recognized, but the concepts of explaining the dynamics of policy process, such as policy-oriented learning, has not been always noticed.

From the aspect of knowledge utilization, two roles of policy analysis in public policy making has been pointed out; “enlightenment” and “advocate”. Paul A. Sabatier and Hank C. Jenkins-Smith adopted these roles in theoretical model (advocacy coalition framework; ACF). And they also presented the concept of policy-oriented learning; changing the belief system which influenced the thinking and actions of political actors.

This paper uses “critical case-study” method and selects the deregulation of airline in Japan and America as “critical case”. We take the focus of three phases of policy process of both cases; “setting the issue of deregulation”, “policy argument”, and “enactment of the legislation of deregulation”. And, in these phases, we consider the policy-oriented learning between two competing groups, “deregulation promoting group” and “vested interest rights sustaining group”.

According to results of case study, we point out that not only the changes of conditions of social economy and institutions but policy-oriented learning in policy subsystem effects policy changes. But also we point out that the concept of policy oriented learning should be modified from two points; “short-term policy changes which policy-oriented learning brings about” and “factors which cause the policy-oriented learning between competing groups”.