A Shift in Federal Policy Regulation of the Automobile Industry: Policy Brokers and the ACF

The advocacy coalition framework (ACF) provides a means to explore complex policy issues and the dynamics of belief systems shared by multiple actors in the policy-making process. Using a single case study, this article expands the application of the ACF to the complex policy subsystem of the U.S. automobile industry during the 2009 auto bailout and subsequent bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler. We examine the development and actions of policy coalitions and further expand the ACF by exploring the role of policy brokers during the automobile crisis. We also examine whether policy brokers are politically neutral actors as previous research debates and what actions they take if compromise cannot be reached between competing coalitions. Related Articles Hallock Morris, Mary. 2007. “The Political Strategies of Winning and Losing Coalitions: Agricultural and Environmental Groups in the Debate over Hypoxia.” Politics & Policy 35 (4): 836-871. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2007.00086.x/abstract Shanahan, Elizabeth, Mark McBeth, and Paul Hathaway. 2011. “Narrative Policy Framework: The Influence of Media Policy Narratives on Public Opinion.” Politics & Policy 39 (3): 373-400. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00295.x/abstract Buckner, John R. 1993. “Ideological Conceptions of Progress and Political Participation and Their Effect on State Economic Development Policy: A Case Study of the Kentucky–Toyota Venture.” Southeastern Political Review 21 (2): 219-237. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.1993.tb00360.x/abstract Related Media NADA. 2009. “NADA Commends the U.S. Senate for Passing Dealers Rights Amendment in Spending Bill.” National Automobile Dealers Association. December 13. https://www.nada.org/MediaCenter/News+Releases/2009/dealer_rights_12-13-09.htm Senate Hearing with Chrysler President and General Motors CEO. 2009. “Congressional Hearings GM and Chrysler Restructuring Plans.” C-SPAN. June 3. http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/286793-1 Manning, Stephen. 2009. “GM, Chrysler Agree to Reconsider Dealer Closings.” The Seattle Times. December 3. http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2010418674_apusautodelalers.html El advocacy coalition framework (ACF) ofrece un medio para explorar asuntos de politica complejos asi como la dinamica de sistemas de creencias compartidas por multiples actores en el proceso de hechura de politicas. A partir de un estudio de caso este articulo desarrolla la aplicacion de la ACF al subsistema de politicas de la industria automovilista de los EE.UU. durante el rescate de 2009 y la posterior quiebra de la General Motors y Chrysler. El articulo examina el desarollo y acciones de coaliciones de politica y extiende el ACF al explorar el papel de los intermediarios de politica durante la crisis de la industria del automovil. El articulo tambien examina si acaso los intermediarios de politica son actores politicamente neutrales como lo sugieren debates previos sobre investigacion considerando tambien que acciones podrian llegar a tomar las coaliciones que compiten entre si no llegan a conceder lo que espera cada una de sus contrapartes.