Explaining the “ebb and flow” of the problem stream: frame conflicts over the future of coal seam gas (“fracking”) in Australia

Why do issues “fade” from the problem stream? This is an important but underresearched question, which this article examines by looking at the dynamic interaction between frames and frame sponsors. We develop a novel methodological approach that combines algorithmic coding (topic modelling) with han...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public policy 2019-09, Vol.39 (3), p.521-541
Main Authors: Fawcett, Paul, Jensen, Michael J., Ransan-Cooper, Hedda, Duus, Sonya
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coal
Convergence
Diachronic analysis
Elections
Hydraulic fracturing
Methodological approaches
Natural gas
Natural gas reserves
Politics
Public policy
Windows
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Summary:Why do issues “fade” from the problem stream? This is an important but underresearched question, which this article examines by looking at the dynamic interaction between frames and frame sponsors. We develop a novel methodological approach that combines algorithmic coding (topic modelling) with hand-coding to track changes in the presence of frames and frame sponsors during periods of intense problematisation (“problem windows”) both within continuous contexts and diachronically across different contexts. We apply this approach empirically in a corpus of newspaper articles that pertain to the coal seam gas controversy in Australia – a divisive policy issue where frame conflicts are common. We find that elite actors have a particularly decisive impact on the problem stream in terms of both the evolution and duration of debate. Further, problem windows close in response to three different mechanisms: elite frame convergence; public statements (by government and industry); and elections.
ISSN:0143-814X
1469-7815
DOI:10.1017/S0143814X18000132