Environmental associations, consumers and the economy: what role do lobbyists play in our democracy?

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Patrick Bernhagen, University of Stuttgart, Institute of Social Sciences

Civic societies are good, lobbyists, on the other hand, are bad. Or at least, this is the impression one gets from following politics in the media. But when is an organization a civic society and when a lobby association? Is there even a definable difference, away from the rhetoric surrounding the terms? How do associations finance their political work? And how can we recognize whether legislation or government policies affect the interests of an association, or whether they are themselves the beneficiaries of the political efforts of the other? This lecture takes a closer look at these questions, in relation to current research findings on German and European politics, as well as giving insight into possible regulations that would make lobbying fairer and more transparent.

Entrance free of charge!