Interest Groups and Policy Capacity: Modes of Engagement, Policy Goods and Networks

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the policy capacity of interest groups. More specifically, it explores which types of policy capacities interest groups may develop. It is widely acknowledged that interest groups can play key roles in the policy process, in particular if they have generated their own capacities through the possession of a number of ‘policy goods’ to assist in policy formulation and implementation. These ‘policy goods’ are highly valued by policymakers. This chapter links different policy goods to analytical, operational and political skills, as well as to different modes of policy engagement. To fully understand the development and value of these capabilities one should look at the links between organizational factors and policy context. That is, the generation of interest group policy capacities is first and foremost a dynamic process, in which policy context and the relationships between government and interest groups shape the generation and value of group capacities.