Interest Groups and Political Representation in Portugal and Beyond

This book examines the characteristics and evolution of interest groups in Portugal. Drawing from a wide array of sources - including surveys, parliamentary activities, media coverage and interviews with MPs and lobbyists it systematically assesses interest group politics. The book analyses the main features of group population, the strategies utilised by organised interests, their interactions with key decision-makers, and citizens' opinions regarding their role in the political system. The original data provided in this book frames the Portuguese case in a broader European context, and will be extremely useful for international comparisons. It will appeal to scholars and students of European politics, interest groups, democratic theories, and public policy.

Examines the characteristics and evolution of interest groups in Portugal Draws from a wide array of sources, including surveys and interviews with MPs and lobbyists Provides new data that will be useful for comparisons of interest groups in other countries

Autorentext
Marco Lisi is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Studies, Nova University of Lisbon, and researcher at IPRI-NOVA, Portugal. His research interests include political parties, interest groups, electoral behavior, party systems, political representation and election campaigns.

Inhalt
Introduction.- 1. The study of interest groups.- 2. The system of interest representation in Portugal.- 3. Associational involvement and political participation in Portugal: Insights from a longitudinal and comparative study.- 4. Interest groups, political representation and citizen preferences.- 5. Seeking access to policy-makers: Interest group strategies.- 6. Interest groups in the parliamentary arena.- 7. Interest groups in the media.- 8. Portuguese interest groups and the European Union.- 9. Conclusions.