The role of narrative in public policy - towards a social theory of narrative

As opposed to homo economicus, in the rational universe, homo narrans navigates understanding of the world through stories. These are comprised of vital components- setting – plot – characters, and crucially the moral of the story. Moreover, these narratives are not linear, they move in circles, and they can be repeated until the saga reaches a satisfactory ending. This paper aims to the role of narrative in public policy; stories for which the public is not merely an observer of the event – they themselves must play a role and commit to the journey towards the ultimate outcome.