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Multilevel Venue Shopping Amid Democratic Backsliding in New European Union Member States
[journal article]
Abstract Recently, various Central and Eastern European countries have experienced a regression of democratic quality, often resulting in the emergence of competitive (semi‐)authoritarian regimes with an illiberal governing ideology. This has often been accompanied by a closing political space for civil soci... view more
Recently, various Central and Eastern European countries have experienced a regression of democratic quality, often resulting in the emergence of competitive (semi‐)authoritarian regimes with an illiberal governing ideology. This has often been accompanied by a closing political space for civil society groups. Based on a survey of more than 400 Polish, Hungarian, Czech, and Slovenian interest organizations, we explore, in the context of backsliding, the conditions under which organized interests shift their lobbying activities to alternative, i.e., EU or regional levels. Our statistical analyses indicate that it is rather exclusive policy‐making in general than a lack of individual group access to domestic policy networks that motivate organizations to engage in multilevel lobbying. However, it appears that organizational self‐empowerment and inter‐group cooperation are the “name of the game.” Even under the adverse conditions of democratic backsliding, organizations that are accumulating expertise, professionalizing their operations, and cooperating with other organizations not only can sustain access to (illiberal) national governments but also branch out their operations to the European and regional levels.... view less
Keywords
EU; communism; Central Europe; Eastern Europe; democracy; political development; citizens' involvement; non-governmental organization
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Political System, Constitution, Government
Free Keywords
Central and Eastern Europe; European Union; democratic backsliding; multilevel lobbying; organized interests; post‐communism
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 65-79
Journal
Politics and Governance, 11 (2023) 1
Issue topic
Democratic Backsliding and Organized Interests in Central and Eastern Europe
ISSN
2183-2463
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed