Interest Groups, Business Associations, and Unions

Abstract

AbstractInterest groups are commonly defined as organizations that aim to influence public policies without contesting elections or taking government positions. These actors play an important role in terms of political representation and the policy-making process. This chapter explores the different dimensions of interest group politics in Portugal, a topic that has been largely understudied especially when compared with other Western democracies. The chapter begins with a review of the system of interest intermediation, which aims to frame the Portuguese case from both a theoretical and historical perspective. Thereafter, the chapter focuses on economic groups, i.e. business associations and trade unions, and examines two key dimensions in particular, namely organizational features and mobilization strategies. Lastly, the chapter discusses recent developments and the challenges ahead.