The Ladder of Influence
Policy change rarely happens via a single brilliant idea. It follows a ladder of escalating engagement:
- Level 1: The White Paper. Technical, detailed proposals circulated to think tanks and staffers.
- Level 2: The Briefing. Informal education of legislative staff (who actually write the laws).
- Level 3: The Testimony. Formal, on-the-record appearance before a committee to advocate for specifically drafted bills.
- Level 4: Model Legislation. Drafting the actual text of the law (e.g., the "Right to Archive Act") for a sponsor to introduce.
The Importance of Coalitions
Scholars rarely change policy alone. We must partner with Coalitions (e.g., Electronic Frontier Foundation, Library Associations) who have permanent lobbyists and grassroot networks.
Field Notes
The "Honest Broker" vs. Advocate: Policymakers trust experts who acknowledge trade-offs. You are more effective if you say "This mandatory archiving law will cost industry $X, but save $Y in cultural heritage" than if you pretend it has zero cost.