Gradualist best practice in wind power policy

•A historical, critical analysis of Danish wind power policy is undertaken.•Best practice principles are not universally applicable but they have merit.•Gradualist policy formulation is needed in complex adaptive markets.•In wind power policy formulation, gradualist best practice is advocated.

This paper introduces and examines a conceptual dialectic between best practice and gradualism in regard to wind power policymaking strategy. It attempts to ascertain the extent to which either of these two strategies is evident in actual applied policy experience. To do so, the study presents an overview of wind power policy in Denmark from the inception of its modern day program to the present time. It concludes that both best practice and gradualist strategies were evident during the evolution of Denmark's wind power development and that the concept of “gradualist best practice” better explains the Danish wind power policymaking strategy. This article concludes with a discussion of how this reconceptualization helps improve an understanding of policymaking and helps overcome weaknesses of best practice or gradualist strategies applied in isolation of each other.