Assessing Political Influence in Complex Decision-Making: An Instrument Based on Triangulation

Abstract

In the past decades substantial work has been done on the assessment of influence of stakeholders in political decision-making. However, its use may be difficult when the process to be investigated is highly complex. The EAR instrument to be presented here is a method for valid ordinal measurement of political influence in complex decision-making at various levels. This assessment is based on triangulation: (1) political players’ own perception of their influence; (2) other players’ perceptions of the influence brought to bear; and (3) a process analysis by the researcher. The application of the instrument is illustrated by a case regarding the political influence of global NGOs on the Climate Convention. The advantages and limitations of the EAR instrument are also discussed.