Unit 5
The Role and Influence of Non-state Actors in Policy-making and Administrative Governance

Unit 5 provides a conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding and studying the role and influence of non-state interests in the policy process. Non-state actors are involved in virtually every stage of the policy process, from agenda-setting to implementation. It is therefore essential that students of policy-making and administrative governance have a framework for examining the role and influence of such actors.

There is an extensive literature on non-state interests in the policy process. Some studies focus on the relationship between business and government. Others focus on public interest groups, lobbying, or public consultations. Still others take the form of case studies of the development and implementation of particular public policies. The task of tackling such a vast and multifaceted field of study is beyond the scope of one course. Thus, the Unit 5 Commentary has three specific goals:

  • To introduce the conceptual framework of what is known as policy community and network analysis
  • To offer an opportunity to consider the challenges associated with inviting non-state actors into the policy process through democratic public consultations
  • To provide a theoretical framework for considering the role and influence of one set of particularly powerful non-state actors: that is, private-sector business interests

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Unit 5, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives:

  1. Explain the concepts associated with policy community and policy network analysis
  2. Distinguish between elite accommodation and democratic public consultation
  3. Contrast competing theoretical perspectives on the power and influence of non-state actors in the policy process and discuss the challenges that face designers of democratic public consultations
  4. Discuss Canada’s approach to regulating and monitoring professional government lobbyists
  5. Offer an explanation of the privileged position of private-sector business interests in the policy process
  6. Discuss the historical trajectories of group and movement influence in Canadian politics
Top