Advocacy groups in China's environmental policymaking: Pathways to influence

Abstract

Through in-depth and comparative analyses of three policy cases, this study investigates whether citizen and special interest groups in China can affect environmental policymaking and, if so, what are the effective strategies to influence the policy outcomes. Process tracing is used to examine advocates' policy preferences, their lobbying strategies, developments through the process and the final policy outcomes. The findings imply that whereas direct interactions with policymakers are not a necessary condition for advocates to influence decision-making, public campaigns and creating strong public pressure are effective practices that can lead to government responsiveness. Beside about authoritarian environmental policymaking, the findings offer important insight into the complex relationship between advocates' activities, public opinion, and policy responsiveness."