Policy research, as any other kind of research, has to be guided by a theory. Theories in the
traditional sense, that is, theories aiming at description, explanation and prediction,
however, are not sufficient for this task. In all policy processes three elements are of central
importance: (a) the existing situation; (b) goals, values, and other normative elements;
(c) action aiming at goal realization with the existing situation as a starting point. Policy
research must be guided by a policy oriented theory, in other words, a theory covering all
these elements. In this article construction ofsuch theories is advocated. It shows that such
theories are feasible.
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