Organizing for Policy Influence

Comparing Parties, Interest Groups, and Direct Action

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, Social Science
Cover of the book Organizing for Policy Influence by Benjamin Farrer, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Benjamin Farrer ISBN: 9781351754408
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 9, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Benjamin Farrer
ISBN: 9781351754408
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 9, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this book, Benjamin Farrer explains how activists can influence the policies they care about, even when they are outnumbered and their issues are ignored. The solution lies in a surprising place: organizational choice. Different types of organizations will be more influential under particular democratic institutions. If they choose the optimal type of organization - given their institutional context - then even minority groups can be influential. Environmentalists are a key example of how small groups can sometimes punch above their weight. Environmentalists in different countries have made different organizational choices. These choices explain whether or not they succeeded in influencing policy. In the empirical chapters that follow, Farrer shows that environmentalists can sometimes be more influential if they form interest groups, but under other institutions, political parties are the optimal organizational choice. Although interest groups are often easier to create, national institutions can sometimes insulate mainstream politicians from niche interest groups. When institutions deny access to interest groups, activists are forced to send the stronger signal of party entry. 

Using a variety of methods, including a formal model, an experiment, and a wealth of empirical data from a variety of settings, Farrer proves that this theory of organizational choice adds to our understanding of several crucial phenomena. First, it helps explain patterns of political participation, by showing the importance of instrumental, rather than purely expressive, motivations for activism. Second, it provides an important modification to Duverger’s (1954) law, by showing that new party entry is a function not only of electoral rules but also of the rules that govern interest groups. Third, it extends research on the role of institutions in determining policy outputs, by showing that policy outcomes are a function of the interaction between organizational choices and institutional context.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this book, Benjamin Farrer explains how activists can influence the policies they care about, even when they are outnumbered and their issues are ignored. The solution lies in a surprising place: organizational choice. Different types of organizations will be more influential under particular democratic institutions. If they choose the optimal type of organization - given their institutional context - then even minority groups can be influential. Environmentalists are a key example of how small groups can sometimes punch above their weight. Environmentalists in different countries have made different organizational choices. These choices explain whether or not they succeeded in influencing policy. In the empirical chapters that follow, Farrer shows that environmentalists can sometimes be more influential if they form interest groups, but under other institutions, political parties are the optimal organizational choice. Although interest groups are often easier to create, national institutions can sometimes insulate mainstream politicians from niche interest groups. When institutions deny access to interest groups, activists are forced to send the stronger signal of party entry. 

Using a variety of methods, including a formal model, an experiment, and a wealth of empirical data from a variety of settings, Farrer proves that this theory of organizational choice adds to our understanding of several crucial phenomena. First, it helps explain patterns of political participation, by showing the importance of instrumental, rather than purely expressive, motivations for activism. Second, it provides an important modification to Duverger’s (1954) law, by showing that new party entry is a function not only of electoral rules but also of the rules that govern interest groups. Third, it extends research on the role of institutions in determining policy outputs, by showing that policy outcomes are a function of the interaction between organizational choices and institutional context.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Human Nature and the Social Order by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Memory and Conflict in Lebanon by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book The Sage in Jewish Society of Late Antiquity by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book The Politics of Identity in Latin American Censuses by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book The Prevention of Eating Problems and Eating Disorders by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Women, Texts and Authority in the Early Modern Spanish World by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Routledge Handbook of Comparative Policy Analysis by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book The United States and the Control of World Oil by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Rural Livelihoods, Regional Economies, and Processes of Change by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Lesbians in East Asia by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Liberal Religion by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Talking About Supervision by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book The Evolution of American Urban History, (S2PCL) by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Culture and the City by Benjamin Farrer
Cover of the book Brazil’s Economy by Benjamin Farrer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy