Policy-Making Process and Interest Groups: How do Local Government Associations Influence Policy Outcome in Brazil and the Netherlands?

Abstract

In recent years a considerable number of studies have been undertaken concerning the impact of interest groups’ influence in the European and North American policy-making process. However, little can be acquired from the literature regarding this knowledge outside of both of these environments. Therefore, this study aimed to assess conditions for policy influence of local government associations in Brazil and the Netherlands. This comparative case study carried out exploratory research, based on interviews, a questionnaire, and document analysis. Specifically, this study looked at factors that, according to the literature, determine influence and examined these factors within the cases. The findings suggest that the associations are relatively successful in influencing technical aspects of certain policies, however, when they try to change the core of a policy the likelihood of success decreases considerably.

Keywords

• Local government associations
• policy-making process
• interest group influence