Local lobbying in single-party authoritarian systems

Do institutions matter

Bibliographic Data

ID4074142
AuthorsHua Wang (0000-0001-8396-809X, University of Glasgow, corresponding author), Jane Duckett (0000-0002-5401-5350, University of Glasgow)
Year2024
Volume41
Issue6
Pages921-940
Publication date2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Policy Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1541-132X • E-ISSN: 1541-1338
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ropr.12582
OpenAlexW4387780873
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited69

Lobbying, and its role in the policy process, has been extensively studied in democratic states, but much less is known about similar practices in authoritarian political systems. Although a few studies have identified lobbying in China, most have focused on big businesses and national policy making, and some have argued that it is unaffected by differences in political institutions. Our paper challenges this portrayal of business lobbying in autocracies. Through a study of the lobbying activities of business associations based on documentary research and fieldwork in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin between 2011 and 2013, we show that although business associations have similar lobbying motivations to their counterparts in democracies, their specific practices are often shaped by authoritarian political institutions. While they are similar in seeking to build informal relationships with public officials, provide expertise to shape policies, and raise their profile through public relations activities and media engagement, they differ in focusing their relationship-building efforts on helping officials with routine work, helping Communist Party organizations establish cells in businesses, and brokering between businesses and government. Rather than donating to political campaigns like their counterparts in democracies, they become legislators themselves, hire retired officials, and seek positions on advisory bodies. Rigged elections, an unreliable legal system, and restrictions on media and freedom of movement are key authoritarian institutions that shape these distinctive lobbying practices

Authoritarianism · Autocracy · China · Democracy · Government (linguistics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Work (physics · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration