Civil Society Engagement and Policy Representation in Europe
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Civil Society Engagement and Policy Representation in Europe. / Rasmussen, Anne; Reher, Stefanie.
In: Comparative Political Studies, Vol. 52, No. 11, 2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Civil Society Engagement and Policy Representation in Europe
AU - Rasmussen, Anne
AU - Reher, Stefanie
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Since Tocqueville linked the quality of democracy in America to its vibrant civic culture, studies have explored the relationship between social capital and the quality of governance. Yet, few have examined the mechanisms between individual components of social capital and democracy in depth. This study focuses on the link between one component of social capital, civil society engagement, and the linkage between public opinion and policy. It argues that engagement in associations with an interest in the policy issue may stimulate correspondence between public opinion and policy through their ability to collect and disseminate information to policy makers and the public. The analysis of 20 specific policy issues from 30 European countries confirms these expectations: Issues that experience a high level of associational engagement display a stronger relationship between public opinion and policy. The findings underline the role civil society organizations can play in policy representation beyond engaging in interest advocacy.
AB - Since Tocqueville linked the quality of democracy in America to its vibrant civic culture, studies have explored the relationship between social capital and the quality of governance. Yet, few have examined the mechanisms between individual components of social capital and democracy in depth. This study focuses on the link between one component of social capital, civil society engagement, and the linkage between public opinion and policy. It argues that engagement in associations with an interest in the policy issue may stimulate correspondence between public opinion and policy through their ability to collect and disseminate information to policy makers and the public. The analysis of 20 specific policy issues from 30 European countries confirms these expectations: Issues that experience a high level of associational engagement display a stronger relationship between public opinion and policy. The findings underline the role civil society organizations can play in policy representation beyond engaging in interest advocacy.
KW - Faculty of Social Sciences
KW - public opinion
KW - public policy
KW - social capital
KW - associational engagement
KW - interest groups
KW - political representation
U2 - 10.1177/0010414019830724
DO - 10.1177/0010414019830724
M3 - Journal article
VL - 52
JO - Comparative Political Studies
JF - Comparative Political Studies
SN - 0010-4140
IS - 11
ER -
ID: 214517340