Interest Groups and Lobbying
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
A course aimed at giving analytical, methodological and empirical skills for knowledge, understanding and analysis of representative systems of the business interest associations and strategies of policy pressure facing with the government, from a multilevel approach concerning with both Italian political system and European Union. After a primer introduction to the main theoretical models for the analysis of the business interests representation (neocorporatist and pluralistic), the course will be focused on the relationships among business interest associations, interest groups, lobbies and the government, in both Italian and European institutional policy making context. Paying particular attention on the disintermediation processes occuring in the political and business interest representation arenas, as a consequence of the digital revolution, the course will be also focused on the strategic solutions through which business interest associations are seeking to get back a role in policy making and in the relationship with the government. Several Italian and European case studies will be examined to outline the evolutionary landscape of the new way of representation, looking for some cut edge solutions.
Expected learning outcomes
- Knowledge and Understanding: at the end of the course, the student will have got a set of analytical and methodological skills, as well as empirical knowledge, on the representation systems of the business interest associations, the policy pressure and lobbying strategies, in a multilevel perspective, so that he should be able to analyze and understand the dynamics of representation and advocacy acting within both the Italian political system and the European Union.
- Applying Knowledge and Learning Skills: the course toolkit should allow the student to make analysis by himself of a representation system of business interest associations, identifying the strategies implemented by associations, interest groups and lobbies to influence the government. In addition, the student should become able to outline the essential elements of a strategic plan for the advocacy of a social category's interest within a given representation arena.
- Communication Skills: the presentation and discussion of case studies in the classroom, should allow the student learning to communicate the contents and the results of the analysis of a certain representation arena, with reference to its actors and strategies, to several interlocutors, specialists and non-specialists ones.
- Applying Knowledge and Learning Skills: the course toolkit should allow the student to make analysis by himself of a representation system of business interest associations, identifying the strategies implemented by associations, interest groups and lobbies to influence the government. In addition, the student should become able to outline the essential elements of a strategic plan for the advocacy of a social category's interest within a given representation arena.
- Communication Skills: the presentation and discussion of case studies in the classroom, should allow the student learning to communicate the contents and the results of the analysis of a certain representation arena, with reference to its actors and strategies, to several interlocutors, specialists and non-specialists ones.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Didactic methods
The lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform and can be followed both synchronously based on the timetable and asynchronously because they will be recorded and left available to students on the same platform.
Program and reference material
The program and reference material will not be affected.
The content of the individual lessons could be modified according to the teaching methods described above.
Learning assessment procedures and assessment criteria
The procedures for verifying learning and the assessment criteria will not be subject to changes, it being understood that the oral exam will take place in person or through Microsoft Teams according to the directives in force at the time of the exam.
The lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform and can be followed both synchronously based on the timetable and asynchronously because they will be recorded and left available to students on the same platform.
Program and reference material
The program and reference material will not be affected.
The content of the individual lessons could be modified according to the teaching methods described above.
Learning assessment procedures and assessment criteria
The procedures for verifying learning and the assessment criteria will not be subject to changes, it being understood that the oral exam will take place in person or through Microsoft Teams according to the directives in force at the time of the exam.
Course syllabus
First part: interest groups.
- Definition of groups
- The main theoretical approaches
- Collective action
- Representation
- Influence
- Evolution of interest groups in Italy
Second part: Lobbying and Advocacy
- Definition
- The reference scenario
- Decision making process
- the lobbying process
- Analysis and strategies
- The instruments
- Case Studies
- Definition of groups
- The main theoretical approaches
- Collective action
- Representation
- Influence
- Evolution of interest groups in Italy
Second part: Lobbying and Advocacy
- Definition
- The reference scenario
- Decision making process
- the lobbying process
- Analysis and strategies
- The instruments
- Case Studies
Prerequisites for admission
Some knowledge of basic economic and legal topics.
Basic knowledge of the public decision making process
Basic knowledge of the public decision making process
Teaching methods
Frontal lesson, with the use of slides and audio-visual materials; presentation and discussion of specific cases. During the course, seminar meetings can also be organized, with experts, on the topics included in the program.
Teaching Resources
The material prepared by the teacher in addition to the recommended texts will be made available during the course.
As regards the study texts, a differentiation is expected between attending students (at least 75% of attendance) and non-attending students.
Attending students
- Liborio Mattina, I Gruppi d'interesse, Il Mulino (chapters 1 - 2 -3 - 4 - 5)
- Andrea Pritoni, Lobby d'Italia, Carocci(Chapters 1 - 2)
Non-attending students
- Liborio Mattina, I gruppi d'interesse, Il Mulino
- Andrea Pritoni, Lobby d'Italia, Carocci (Chapters 1 - 2)
- Pierluigi Petrillo, TTeorie e tecniche del lobbying, Il Mulino (Third part The techniques and tools)
As regards the study texts, a differentiation is expected between attending students (at least 75% of attendance) and non-attending students.
Attending students
- Liborio Mattina, I Gruppi d'interesse, Il Mulino (chapters 1 - 2 -3 - 4 - 5)
- Andrea Pritoni, Lobby d'Italia, Carocci(Chapters 1 - 2)
Non-attending students
- Liborio Mattina, I gruppi d'interesse, Il Mulino
- Andrea Pritoni, Lobby d'Italia, Carocci (Chapters 1 - 2)
- Pierluigi Petrillo, TTeorie e tecniche del lobbying, Il Mulino (Third part The techniques and tools)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Verification of learning will take place through an oral exam according to the exam calendar.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
- relevance of the responses in relation to the contents of the program;
- level of articulation of the response;
- relevance of the language used.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
- relevance of the responses in relation to the contents of the program;
- level of articulation of the response;
- relevance of the language used.
Professor(s)