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Rational Learning and Bounded Learning in the Diffusion of Policy Innovations

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  • Covadonga Meseguer

    (Juan March Institute, Spain, covadonga.meseguer@cide.edu)

Abstract

In political science, rational learning and bounded learning are commonly studied as two opposing theories of policy choice. In this article, I use a rational learning approach to reach conclusions about bounded learning, showing that the two theories are not necessarily incompatible. By examining a rational learning model and the decisions of a set of developing countries to open up their trade regimes, I show that countries are particularly influenced by the choices of neighbouring countries and by particularly successful policy experiences. These are two typical contentions of the bounded learning literature. I argue that bounded learning and rational learning yield the same results as soon as one drops the rational learning assumption that there are zero costs to gathering new information. I use the discussion on rational learning versus bounded learning as a basis for exploring more general issues concerning the diffusion of policy innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Covadonga Meseguer, 2006. "Rational Learning and Bounded Learning in the Diffusion of Policy Innovations," Rationality and Society, , vol. 18(1), pages 35-66, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:18:y:2006:i:1:p:35-66
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463106060152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tanja A. Börzel & Thomas Risse, 2009. "Diffusing (Inter-) Regionalism - The EU as a Model of Regional Integration," KFG Working Papers p0007, Free University Berlin.
    2. Nico Heiden & Felix Strebel, 2012. "What about non-diffusion? The effect of competitiveness in policy-comparative diffusion research," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 45(4), pages 345-358, December.
    3. Gautier, Lara & Tosun, Jale & De Allegri, Manuela & Ridde, Valéry, 2018. "How do diffusion entrepreneurs spread policies? Insights from performance-based financing in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 160-175.
    4. Simon Fink, 2013. "Policy Convergence with or without the European Union: The Interaction of Policy Success, EU Membership and Policy Convergence," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(4), pages 631-648, July.
    5. Baldwin, Elizabeth & Carley, Sanya & Nicholson-Crotty, Sean, 2019. "Why do countries emulate each others’ policies? A global study of renewable energy policy diffusion," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 29-45.
    6. repec:gig:joupla:v:5:y:2013:i:3:p:97-132 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Lauge N. Skovgaard Poulsen & Emma Aisbett, 2011. "When the Claim Hits: Bilateral Investment Treaties and Bounded Rational Learning," Crawford School Research Papers 1105, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    8. Katja Biedenkopf, 2012. "Emissions Trading - A Transatlantic Journey for an Idea?," KFG Working Papers p0045, Free University Berlin.
    9. Torben Heinze, 2011. "Mechanism-Based Thinking on Policy Diffusion. A Review of Current Approaches in Political Science," KFG Working Papers p0034, Free University Berlin.
    10. Tanja A. Börzel & Thomas Risse, 2009. "The Transformative Power of Europe: The European Union and the Diffusion of Ideas," KFG Working Papers p0001, Free University Berlin.
    11. Felix Strebel & Thomas Widmer, 2012. "Visibility and facticity in policy diffusion: going beyond the prevailing binarity," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 45(4), pages 385-398, December.
    12. Emil Lobe Suenson & Peter Nedergaard & Peter Munk Christiansen, 2016. "Why Lash Yourself to the Mast? The Case of the Danish “Budget Law”," Public Budgeting & Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(1), pages 3-21, February.

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