The Dissolution of Traditional Demarcations and Differentiation: Political Interest Representation in a Globalized World

The project analyzes the recently accelerated internationalization (Europeanization) of political interest representation. Subjects are both the vertical dimension of shifting interest representation activities to supranational arenas and institutions and the horizontal differentiation of lobbying within globalized societies. At the centre of attention is the twofold dissolution of the boundaries of political interest group activities and the main actors promoting these processes including business associations, commercial service firms, consultants, but also NGOs and think tanks, for example. The limited analysis of traditional lobbying in the narrow sense of attempting to influence national law making gives way to a deeper and wider understanding of influence peddling in state and society at different levels and in different areas. Actors develop new, specific and expanded analytical, advisory, mediation, media and organizational competencies in order to accomplish their goals.