Formulating & Implementing
Political Strategies
Picking a Political Strategy
Depends on the Payoff
AND your Ability to Carry
it off
1
Implementation Measures
• Communication and Public Advocacy
• Testimony
• Lobbying
• Electoral Support
• Grassroots Activities
• Coalition Building
• Political Entrepreneurship
• Judicial Strategies
2
Communication and Public
Advocacy
• Communicating to the Elected Officials
and the Public through the Media
– Get the Media’s Attention
» advertising
– Frame the Message
– Convey the Message
Drawbacks: Costly, Weak on Closure
3
Public Testimony
before Legislative Committees, Administrative
Agencies, & Courts
• Advantages: Full presentation of your
case, including evidence & evaluation
of policy alternatives, including your
predictions of consequences, your
policy prescription DIRECTLY TO
DECISION MAKERS
• Drawbacks: X examination, other
sides, zingers
4
Lobbying (A)
Provision of Private Information to Government
Officials
Decision Facilitating vs. Decision
Influencing Information
• Information about policy consequences that are of
interest to the DM
• Information about the contingent actions to be
taken by LO that are of interest to the DM
e.g.., support, opposition, etc.
• Tactical and strategic information and advice
e.g.., vote trading, bundling, etc.
5
Lobbying (B)
• Access
– Reputation (CEOs are usually better than
paid Lobbyists, but then their time is also
usually more costly)
– Personal relationships
• Timing
• Internal/Government Allies
6
How to Get Access
• Electoral Support (Campaign
Contributions)
• Peak Associations, Trade Associations
(PACs)
• Grassroots Campaigns (shareholders,
employees & communities, suppliers,
customers)
• Mobilization of whole rent chain
7
Client Politics
• The CONSTITUENCY Connection
• Policy Concerns of the Elected Official
• Provision of Resources to Elected
Official
• Organize a COALITION
• Dissuade Potential Opponents
8
Interest Group Politics
• Advantage to the STATUS QUO
• SQ Wins by Delay, Diffusion of
Knowledge of Issues favors SQ
• Proponents of Policy Change Must Get
ALL of their Ducks in Line and MOVE
FAST
• Pockets of Interest; Policy
Entrepreneurs
9
Defensive Tactics
• Divide and Conquer
• Play the Constituency Card
• Expand the Number of Dimensions of
the Issue
• Focus on the Elected Officials who care
least about the Issue
10
The Rent Chain
• Factor Suppliers
• The Value Chain
» inbound logistics
» operations
» outbound logistics, sales, service, & product
support
• Distribution Channels
• Customers
11
BUT IS IT RIGHT?
• Business Interests ARE NOT Public
Interests
• Unwarranted Power
• Abuse of Power
12