Viral Lobbying: Strategies, Access and Influence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Viral Lobbying examines the patterns and implications of "viral lobbying" during the COVID-19 pandemic, using elite surveys and focus group interviews with selected groups in eight European countries and the EU. It provides new evidence on lobbying strategies, access to public policy, and lobbying influence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 173 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2022
Publisher: De Gruyter

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public policy has been profound, with various social and economic interests engaged in intense lobbying efforts to shape pandemic policies. In their book titled "Viral Lobbying," a team of esteemed authors from diverse social and natural sciences delve into the patterns and implications of this phenomenon. Drawing upon elite surveys and in-depth focus group interviews with selected groups, the book offers valuable insights into the lobbying strategies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on public policy. The empirical analyses span across eight European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as at the EU level. Specifically, the book relies on responses from approximately 1,600 interest organizations collected through two waves of a cross-country survey conducted in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This quantitative data is complemented by qualitative evidence derived from a series of 12 focus groups with organized interests conducted in spring 2021 in Ireland, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the way we live and work, and it has also highlighted the importance of effective lobbying in shaping public policy. In the book "Viral Lobbying," the authors examine the strategies used by different social and economic interests to influence pandemic policies. They analyze the data from elite surveys and focus group interviews with selected groups to provide new evidence on the lobbying strategies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book covers eight European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as the EU level.

One of the key findings of the book is the prevalence of "viral lobbying" during the pandemic. Interest organizations have used social media and other digital platforms to spread their messages and mobilize support for their policies. This has led to a greater influence on public policy decisions, as policymakers are more likely to be influenced by the public's opinion and the media coverage of the pandemic.

The book also highlights the impact of lobbying on access to healthcare and other essential services during the pandemic. Interest organizations have been advocating for policies that prioritize their interests, such as vaccine distribution and healthcare funding. This has led to some policies that may not be in the best interest of the public, as they may prioritize the interests of specific industries or groups over the broader public health.

Another important aspect of the book is the analysis of the role of organized interests in shaping public policy. The authors argue that organized interests, such as industry associations and trade unions, have a significant influence on public policy decisions. They use qualitative evidence from focus groups to illustrate how organized interests use their resources and networks to influence policymakers and shape public policy.

The book also provides recommendations for policymakers and interest organizations to improve the transparency and accountability of lobbying practices. The authors suggest that policymakers should establish clear rules and regulations for lobbying practices, and that interest organizations should be required to disclose their funding and lobbying activities. This would help to ensure that lobbying practices are conducted in a fair and transparent manner and that the public can have a greater understanding of how they are shaping public policy.

In conclusion, the book "Viral Lobbying" provides valuable insights into the patterns and implications of lobbying during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the prevalence of viral lobbying, the impact of lobbying on access to healthcare and other essential services, and the role of organized interests in shaping public policy. The book offers recommendations for policymakers and interest organizations to improve the transparency and accountability of lobbying practices, ensuring that public policy decisions are made in the best interest of the public.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783110783902