This book investigates how the actual dynamics of business-state relations work in a democracy and their changes overtime. The focus is limited to one country because access to high-level sources, who are able to openly discuss the nature of the business-politics nexus, cannot be easily replicated. The study is distinctive in a number of ways. First, its focus on politics and business touches upon a number of academic disciplines – business sciences, political science, public policy and administration. Second, it is not limited to a static picture of a relatively new democracy, but instead examines the dynamics of change over the last twenty years. As such, it talks to situations in a number of other countries, especially those in Central and Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space. Third, the methodological approach, which combines anonymous interviews, mass media sources, governmental and non-governmental reports, is not very typical and thus provides a relatively fresh perspective on studying such social phenomena. Finally, the study offers original theoretical and analytical frames that can be conveniently applied and tested in other national/regional contexts. These and other features make it a valuable resource in higher education settings, offering a case study at hand, which can be used in courses on corruption, business ethics, democracy, EU studies, areas studies focused on Central and Eastern Europe or the post-Soviet space.
Author(s): Ainius Lašas
Series: Political Corruption and Governance
Publisher: Palgrave Pivot
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 208
City: Cham
Preface
Praise for Backstage Democracy
Contents
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
2 Concepts
Actor Discretion
Scope of Discretion
3 Context and Methodology
Context
Methodology
4 Practices in Practice
Core Agents
Discretionary Practices
Employing Influential Politicians, Bureaucrats and Experts (LU4, LU6, LU9)
Acquisition of Party Status (LU5)
Legislative Proposals (LU2, IU1)
Access to Voters (LU7)
Milking the State’s Real Estate (LU15, IU10)
Ignoring Laws (IU11, IU12)
Intentional Negligence (IU7)
Evading Regulation: Funds Through Funds (LU10, LU11, IU6)
Small Favors and Gifts (LU1, LU3, LU13)
Pet Projects (LU12, LU14)
Leadership Unplugged (IU1, IE2, IU14)
Applying Psychological Pressure (IU15, IU16)
Political Racketeering (IU5)
Nepotism or “Landing Platforms” (IU8, IU14)
Courts as Networks of Friends (LU8)
Leakage of Information (IU2, IE1, IU3)
Abuse of Media Power (IU3, IU4, IU13)
5 Drivers of Continuity
Entrenched Power Networks
Hierarchical Organizational Cultures
Fragmentation of Power
6 Drivers of Change
Legislative and Procedural Gaps
Fragmentation of Power
Role of Technology
EU and Other IOs
Local Pressure Institutions
7 Evaluating Exclusive Situationalism and Its Broader Horizons
Concepts Under Scrutiny
Broader Horizons of Situationalism
Incentives for Change
Beyond Incentives
Limitations and Future Research
8 Conclusions
Exhibit A: List of Interviewees
Exhibit B: MPs and Their Private (Business) Interests as Declared to Chief Official Ethics Commission for 2003
Index
