A policy analysis in the context of policy networks approach: Vocational and technical education policies in Turkey after 2000

Education policies are one of the most debated policy fields because they are sometimes insufficient to meet the demands and change frequently. The subject of education policy is people; a certain time is needed to evaluate its results; it concerns almost the entire society with its multi-actor structure; and for these reasons, its understanding and explanation have been important for public policy. In this study, "vocational and technical education policies" implemented in Turkey in the post-2000 period were analyzed. The policy networks approach was used in the study, and the "Dialectical Model" was chosen as the model, which is based on the assumption that policy outcomes can be explained according to policy networks. The theoretical aim of the study is to contribute to the discussion of the power of policy networks to explain policy change. Its practical purpose is to explain the change in vocational and technical education policies in the context of policy networks. The study focused on the interactions within the policy network based on the views of the working group composed of actor representatives. Thus, the analysis evolved from the traditional actor/structure-based static process understanding to a more qualified dynamic understanding based on a certain period, including intra-network processes. The case study approach was used in the research in which the intranet interaction was determined as the analysis unit. In the research, it has been observed that the network structure significantly restricts the actors; the actors develop discourses and solutions to change the network structure. The political effect is the most important contextual factor forcing the network to change. Apart from these factors, it has been found that the state is the absolute determinant in the formation of the policy network and controls the change of policies by making some actors active in the network. Based on all these findings, it is concluded that the policy networks approach can be used as an analytical framework to explain policy changes in multi-actor, fragmented and complex policy areas. In the research, it has also been suggested that the policy networks approach should be strengthened by synthesizing it with the new institutional theory.