LAUSR

by Schultze, however, these points show how important this approach is to help us illuminate the complex nature of policymaking processes under conditions of international and kin-state pressures. Indeed, Strategic Frames convincingly shows how a strategic framing approach can be used to better understand policymaking as a contested and even ‘messy’ process, which involves delays, deadlocks, bargaining, compromises, and reversals. The suggestion, mentioned in the Conclusions, that a similar approach could be used to open up not only the domestic politics field but also the European and kin-state fields of the quadratic nexus is particularly enticing. Both European and kin-state choices about activism (or inactivity) could then be also studied as contested, ongoing, messy processes. In this way, Schultze’s strategic framing approach will be an indispensable tool for scholars who want to fully understand the workings of the quadratic nexus and policymaking in ethnically divided democracies.