LIST OF PANELS

Some researchers of lobbying frame the practice as an expression of the restructuring of political power in liberal democratic governance. This is to say that the policy advocacy which lobbying entails, is predominantly an expression of corporate “business activism”. However, lobbying is also undertaken by public interest organizations. The question is, are these heard equally by government decision-makers?  The lobbying arm of business encompasses a heterodox community of organizations including industry association, inter-sectoral business councils, chambers of commerce, think tanks, government relations firms, law and consultancy firms, and government relations units within corporations. These organizations provide the platform for lobbying activities seeking to engage with the government policy advisory system and thereby inform and shape public policy in the interest, general or specific, of business. In this sense “corporate power reaches beyond the economy” and projects itself “into civil and political society”. Corporate lobbying, as a practice, utilizes knowledge of the political system and the policy process with access to those with the power to make decisions. And there is a tension raised as the political influence of lobbying professionals, who work in the service of particular interests, as opposed to the public interest, may run contrary to the democratic accountability which ought to be foundational to the practice of democracy. This panel seeks to explore lobbying as a distinct mode of policy advocacy and assess the nature and organization of the practice, alongside its impact not only upon the policy agenda but of democracy itself. Case studies as well as comparative approaches are encouraged.

Key research questions include but are not limited to: 1) What is the composition of the lobbying industry in a given country or set of countries?; 2) Who are the lobbyists? 3) What is their professional/career background?; 3) Who do lobbyists work for, what are their specific goals, and what tools and resources do they use?

The scientific relevance of this panel encompasses several key points. First, the central concern respecting lobbying is the extent to which it amplifies pre-existing power relations in society and further serves to concentrate the power to shape public policy with narrow business interests. Assessing this through case studies, empirical analysis through surveys, key informant interviews with government and lobby industry professionals will contribute to our understanding of this opaque and understudied dimension of the policy process. Second, identifying the ‘value proposition’ of the professional lobbyist,  is it their expert knowledge of  specific policy files or issues, or their political/bureaucratic networks which makes them valuable in advocacy? Third, is it possible to discern a hierarchy of power in the policy process where corporate interests prevail over other interests?  This is critical in that not all issues, perspectives and voices are equal and alternative processes or structures may be imagined which provide a more equal field of contestation.    

Some researchers of lobbying frame the practice as an expression of the restructuring of political power in liberal democratic governance. This is to say that the policy advocacy which lobbying entails, is predominantly an expression of corporate “business activism”. However, lobbying is also undertaken by public interest organizations. The question is, are these heard equally by government decision-makers?  The lobbying arm of business encompasses a heterodox community of organizations including industry association, inter-sectoral business councils, chambers of commerce, think tanks, government relations firms, law and consultancy firms, and government relations units within corporations. These organizations provide the platform for lobbying activities seeking to engage with the government policy advisory system and thereby inform and shape public policy in the interest, general or specific, of business. In this sense “corporate power reaches beyond the economy” and projects itself “into civil and political society” (Carroll and Sapinski, p. 100). Corporate lobbying, as a practice, utilizes knowledge of the political system and the policy process with access to those with the power to make decisions. This panel invites paper proposals which explore business lobbying but also public interest advocacy by non-business organizations such as trade unions, environmental organizations, and other such organizations. Key research questions include but are not limited to: 1) What is the composition of the lobbying industry in a given country or set of countries?; 2) Who are the lobbyists? 3) What is their professional/career background?; 3) Who do lobbyists work for, what are their specific goals, and what tools and resources do they use? 4) what are the key methods of lobbyists? Do they rely on expertise, networks or both?