Narrative subscription in public policy discourse

Abstract

Affect and identity are often recognized as important considerations in critical policy studies. But because these notions lack materiality, it is not observably obvious how they function in policy discourse. Their function can be understood by adopting the concept of narrative subscription. This conceptualization raises the prominence of narrative, treating it as the key observable feature of a policy discourse. Narratives are made resonant, coherent, and worthy of one’s allegiance by the concepts, values, emotions, and symbolic connotations (ideographs) embedded in their story lines. Narrative subscription is not necessarily permanent; one can cancel one’s subscription, so to speak. Context can shift attachments and identifications, possibly (but not necessarily) leading to shifts in narrative subscription. Narratives are thus conspicuous vehicles in the political struggle for dominance in a policy discourse. Policy discourse is not merely a matter of rational argumentation, but understanding its dynamics entails more than the simple addition of values and feelings into the mix. Identification with a narrative depends on a shared normative understanding within a community or referent group. To understand narrative subscription is to understand the psycho-social origins of discursive power.

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