The analysis of argumentation in the policy process has been significantly shaped by discourse approaches. These typically claim to address the interrelation between actors and discourses. However, the analytical focus of most approaches is on structures (discourse), whereas agency is often black boxed. In order to address this gap, we propose the Discursive Agency Approach. It is intended to complement and strengthen existing discourse approaches for the analysis of (1) how the dominance of a particular policy solution is constituted through the agency ascribed to its proponents in dynamic discursive processes, and (2) how actors acquire political relevance through discursive means. To enable this goal, we propose four distinct analytical elements with associated research steps and methods.
The approach has been developed based on a literature review of theoretical and analytical dimensions of agency in discourse approaches, numerous empirical case studies, and additional interviews focusing specifically on discursive agency.
