Netzpolitik als Policy Subsystem?

This book examines the formation of internet policy in Germany between 2005 and 2011 by applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF). As a first step, the author presents the framework, which, despite being based on American presidentialism, can still be applied to examples in parliamentary systems.
Furthermore, this thesis identifies the main difference between a policy subsystem based on the Advocacy Coalition Framework and a policy area. In order to be able to differentiate between the two concepts, a catalogue of criteria is provided to serve as a possible checklist. Time is identified as being the most important factor in this differentiation. Within the Advocacy Coalition Framework, cooperation within advocacy coalitions over a long period of time, i.e. a decade or more, is essential, whereas the time factor is not a main criterion for establishing a policy area.