The institutionalization of participation in a context of informal influence: a look at the Participatory Legislation Committee of the Chamber of Deputies (2003-2015)

Abstract:

The article compares data on the Participatory Legislation Committee of the Chamber of Deputies (CLP-CD) with contributions from the literature on the influence of interest groups in the public policy decision-making process, especially in the parliamentary arena. Based on legislative suggestions presented at the 52^nd, 53^rd and 54^th legislatures (2003-2015) and on a descriptive strategy for analysis, we try to verify: (i) the interest groups use the CLP-CD to exercise influence; (ii) the themes about which they express their preferences through legislative suggestions; and (iii) their success in transforming their suggestions into propositions to be voted on by parliamentarians in plenary. Our inquiry into the extent interest groups have used this arena to organize their efforts to influence parliament revealed a total of 671 suggestions in the period of analysis. The themes addressed in these suggestions are predominantly different from those expected in the specialized literature on what most intensely mobilizes interest groups in their lobbying activities. In addition, the CLP-CD highlights the representation of fuzzy and minority interests in the face of corporate interests.

Keywords:
legislative suggestions; interest groups; influence