Who Shapes Policy?

Who Shapes Policy? examines how corporations interact with government officials during the making of public policies. It analyzes the vital role that bureaucrats and government officials play in deciding which policy moves forward and which stalls.Moving beyond the familiar terrain of political lobbying and media campaigns, the book shows that corporations also work directly with bureaucrats through formal procedures, personal connections, and appointments to public roles. Drawing on case studies from Asia, Europe, Latin America and South Africa, the book maps the diverse strategies and practices non-state actors use to shape public policy. It interrogates the implications of the ‘revolving door,’ through which influential actors move between the government and the private sector, and how personal positioning and influence is used to foster connections and impact decisions on both sides. The book concludes that understanding the interactions between private actors and public officials is essential to explain how public policies are shaped in practice.With a focus on the politics of policymaking, this book is essential for scholars and students in political science, public policy, public administration, and those working on emerging themes like public interest in private relationships. The international range of case studies from emerging economies will also make this book valuable for policymakers and practitioners in the field.