Just a Narrative of Narratives?

This chapter examines the emergence of the “interpretive turn” in public policy analysis, specifically focusing on the NPF. Grounded in post-positivist roots, this approach views language and narratives as instruments of power that shape social reality. The author reviews the framework’s core elements – such as settings, characters, and plots – and tracks its academic reception in Brazil, noting its application in studies regarding affirmative action, abortion rights, and prison systems. However, the chapter presents a critical perspective, arguing that NPF often lacks clearly specified causal mechanisms. By treating ideas as “situated knowledge”, the framework risks becoming tautological, offering ex-post storytelling rather than falsifiable scientific explanations. Ultimately, the author suggests that narratives may be a consequence of institutional legacies and existing policies rather than their primary cause.