The idea of “focusing events” is well known in public policy.
For example, see Thomas Birkland’s book “After Disaster: Agenda Setting, Public Policy, and Focusing Events” or any of his many articles such as “Focusing Events, Mobilization, and Agenda Setting”
(Journal of Public Policy; Vol. 18, No. 1; 1998)
According to Birkland in “During Disaster: Refining the Concept of Focusing Events to Better Explain Long-Duration Crises”, John Kingdon first used the term “focusing events” in his book “Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policy”.
There is a considerable literature on these topics that does not rely on Milton Friedman or his political philosophy. Invoking Friedman in policy circles can make it harder to have neutral conversation about topics unrelated to markets, such as the Overton window and “theories of change” which thankfully seem to have survived as both neutral and intellectually honest ways of talking about the policy process.
With this in mind, I suggest listing these other authors alongside Milton Friedman to give a broader context. This will help us flawed humans focus on the core ideas rather than wonder in the back of our heads if the ideas are part of a particular political philosophy. As such, it probably will help to get these concepts in wider circulation.
To the students of history out there, let me know to what degree Friedman played a key role in developing and/or socializing the ideas around crises and focusing events. If so, credit where credit it due.
For what it is worth, Friedman, Arthur Okun (“Equality and Efficiency”), and Birkland were assigned reading in my public policy studies. We were expected to be able to articulate all of their points of view clearly and honestly, even if we disagreed.
The idea of “focusing events” is well known in public policy.
For example, see Thomas Birkland’s book “After Disaster: Agenda Setting, Public Policy, and Focusing Events” or any of his many articles such as “Focusing Events, Mobilization, and Agenda Setting” (Journal of Public Policy; Vol. 18, No. 1; 1998)
According to Birkland in “During Disaster: Refining the Concept of Focusing Events to Better Explain Long-Duration Crises”, John Kingdon first used the term “focusing events” in his book “Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policy”.
There is a considerable literature on these topics that does not rely on Milton Friedman or his political philosophy. Invoking Friedman in policy circles can make it harder to have neutral conversation about topics unrelated to markets, such as the Overton window and “theories of change” which thankfully seem to have survived as both neutral and intellectually honest ways of talking about the policy process.
With this in mind, I suggest listing these other authors alongside Milton Friedman to give a broader context. This will help us flawed humans focus on the core ideas rather than wonder in the back of our heads if the ideas are part of a particular political philosophy. As such, it probably will help to get these concepts in wider circulation.
To the students of history out there, let me know to what degree Friedman played a key role in developing and/or socializing the ideas around crises and focusing events. If so, credit where credit it due.
For what it is worth, Friedman, Arthur Okun (“Equality and Efficiency”), and Birkland were assigned reading in my public policy studies. We were expected to be able to articulate all of their points of view clearly and honestly, even if we disagreed.