Political Business Research Articles

Crafting Coalitions for Reform: Business Preferences, Political Institutions, and Neoliberal Reform in Brazil. By Peter R. Kingstone. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999. 284p. $60.00 cloth, $22.50 paper.

Crafting Coalitions for Reform: Business Preferences, Political Institutions, and Neoliberal Reform in Brazil. By Peter R. Kingstone. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999. 284p. $60.00 cloth, $22.50 paper.

The Significance of Business Interest Associations in Economic Policy Reform: The Case of Australian Taxation Policy

Taxation reform has dominated Australian politics over the past twenty-five years. Despite this prominence on the political agenda, until recently Australian governments have lacked the capacity to consolidate key elements of this tax reform agenda. While the problematic nature of Australian tax reform can be explained in part by macro-level variables, this protracted policy deadlock has also influenced historical patterns of business-government intermediation. The article argues that the evolution of the Australian tax policy network over the study period was prompted by both associational and state actors reassessing their strategies in the context of the political failure of tax reform proposals. These developments provide empirical insights into the ongoing debate relating to the factors which lead to the formation and evolution of sectoral level policy networks. The article concludes that while the increasing levels of business mobilization experienced over the study period enhanced the electoral viability of reform proposals, these new patterns of sectoral business politics should be regarded as a consequence of the policy deadlock relating to tax reform rather than primary cause of policy change.

LITIGATING REGULATION: CORPORATE STRATEGY IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

One of the more effective tools corporations have to affect the business environment is litigation. If a company cannot secure effective regulation in the political environment of Congress and legislatures, it can strategically challenge administrative agency rulings in the courts. This element of business political strategy, as a follow-on to the more traditional elements of strategy in the institutional environment, has often been overlooked in the literature. This paper examines the role of judicial ideology in affecting the selection and outcome of regulatory cases companies bring to litigation. Using a dataset on Federal Communications Commission orders and trials from 1990 to 1995, this paper shows that changes in the make-up of the bench of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affects not only who wins the cases, but also the cases selected for litigation. Specifically, firms are more likely to bring cases when the agency decisions are ideologically distant from the bench than when the two are actors are close ideologically. Judges, who are subsequently randomly selected, vote ideologically as the firms' actions predict they will, with Republican judges overturning Democratic agency decisions and vice versa. However, the shifts in behavior of the firms are larger than the shifts in the behavior of the court. Integrating political science perspectives into the litigation decisions of companies can enhance our understanding of the business political strategies of firms.

Integrating Ethical Dimensions into a Model of Budgetary Slack Creation

The "Ibercorp affair" was front-page news in Spain at various times between 1992 and 1995. In itself, there was nothing particularly new about it: a newly formed financial group engaged in legally and ethically reprehensible behaviour that eventually came to light in the media, ruining the company (and the careers of those involved). What aroused public interest at the time was the fact that it involved individuals connected with Spanish public and political life, the media and certain business circles. Above all, it demonstrated the personal, economic, social and political consequences of a business culture based on the pursuit of easy profits at any price (what came to be known as the cultura del pelotazo or "culture of the fast buck"). Again, this is all too familiar in business ethics. But it served to goad Spanish society into a rejection of such behaviour. This article describes the facts and their ethical implications.

Crafting Coalitions for Reform: Business Preferences, Political Institutions, and Neoliberal Reform in Brazil

Crafting Coalitions for Reform: Business Preferences, Political Institutions, and Neoliberal Reform in Brazil

Neoliberalism, Corporatism, and Small Business Political Activism in Contemporary Mexico

AbstractIn the 1980s and 1990s, neoliberalism and changing policy-making regimes presented social actors throughout Latin America with new challenges and opportunities. This article analyzes the political strategies developed by two organizations representing small manufacturers in Mexico for responding to these sweeping economic and political changes, emphasizing the organizational bases of political activism. Strategies are assessed according to organizations' public expression of support for or opposition to economic policies, the extent to which organizations work within existing arrangements for interest representation, and the political alliances made by small business organizations and their leaders. One strategy in Mexico entailed acquiescing to radical economic policy changes, deploying significant resources to preserve a set of corporatist institutions that regulated business association, and supporting the government incumbents. Another strategy entailed voicing persistent public criticism of neoliberalism, spearheading a national campaign against business corporatism, and supporting the Center-Left opposition. Analysis of these strategies demonstrates the important effects of institutional legacies during periods of regime change. The perseverance of corporatist institutions can make it difficult for weak actors to shed old modes of activism, notwithstanding a changed array of material and political incentives.

Property, politics and the neo-liberal revolution in urban Scotland

This paper is written in the context of current debates about the extent to which business coalitions are shaping the political agendas of the contemporary city. With a growing critique of the use of North American frameworks as a basis for the interpretation of business politics in the British city, we make a contribution towards the development of a more theoretically informed account of capital's involvement in local politics in Britain. Our research design takes analysis beyond the confines of what we term a ‘state-centred perspective’ insofar as we focus on the political behaviour of one key fraction of capital, property, in a range of urban areas in one political system, Scotland. Through the first survey to be conducted in Scotland of the political activities of property agents, the paper draws out conclusions about the extent to which new forms of neo-liberal urban governance are serving to construct an environment within which contemporary property politics are being played out. Our results point to a politically engaged fraction of capital but one which is largely oblivious to the changes in governance taking place around them. In an effort to further understanding property politics, we conclude that more attention needs to be given to capital and its trajectories. In calling for an epistemological shift towards a capital-centred perspective, we conclude that an understanding of property politics might profitably draw upon both a rehabilitated version of neo-Marxist frameworks and more recent institutional perspectives.

A history of business in medieval Europe, 1200-1550

Introduction Part I. Before the Black Death: Progress and Problems: 1. Economics, culture, and geography of early medieval trade 2 Tools of trade: business organization 3. Traders and their tools 4. The politics of business 5. Business gets bigger: the super-company phenomenon Part II. Business in the Late Middle Ages: A Harvest of Adversity: Introduction 6. The new business environment of the Middle Ages 7. Business responses to the new environment 8. The fifteenth century: revolutionary results from old processes 9. Sources of capital in the late Middle Ages 10. A new age for business Conclusions Further reading.

A postmodern theory of general economy: The contribution of georges bataille

One of the most important views concerning the post-industrial society is the return of the marketplace as the central economic institution. Although postmodernism has been viewed as “the cultural logic of late capitalism,” the work of Georges Bataille (1879–1962) sheds light on the idea of postmodern business in terms of a cultural shift concerning the motive of business venturing. While his contributions to political economy and business ethics still remain unknown to many of the advocates of postmodern business in the United States, Canada and Europe, Bataille formulated “a Copernican transformation” of capitalism, changing the perspectives of restrictive economy to those of “general economy.”

Business lobbies and the power structure in America: evidence and arguments

Introduction Sophisticated Conservatives Mainstream Business Lobbies The Role of the Labor Policy Association Case Studies: Health Care Reform and Occupational Disease Notification Case Studies: Social Security, Plant Shut-downs, and Striker Replacements Civil Rights Act of 1991: An Exceptional Case Pressures on the Business Lobbies: Dominant Minorities and Internationalization Business Liberalism State Politics Think Tanks and Political Rhetoric Values and Business Schools A Conservative View A Liberal View Prospects for Progressive Business Politics Appendix 1: Is Business a System of Power? Appendix 2: BSR Board of Directors Selected Bibliography Index

Politics Matter: The 1997 Derailment of Fast-Track Trade Authority

In 1997, President Clinton became the first President not awarded fast-track trade negotiating authority since this congressional delegation of trade policymaking authority first began in 1934. Fast-track's failure also represents a case of an unsuccessful business political strategy since business supporters of the measure were easily defeated by labor and environmental opponents, despite the many political ‘privileges’ that business possessed. This case study describes why fast-track is important to the future of US and global trade policy and examines the main reasons for its failure. In doing so, it illustrates theories of pivotal politics, the median voter, collective action, issue framing, international trade's welfare costs and benefits, and international relations that often arise in research and courses on the non-market environment of business, international trade, and international political economy.

Capitalism in Contention: Business Leaders and Political Economy in Modern Britain. Jonathan Boswell , James Peters

<i>Capitalism in Contention: Business Leaders and Political Economy in Modern Britain</i>. Jonathan Boswell , James Peters

Ethics in Finance and Public Policy: The Ibercorp Case

The "Ibercorp affair" was front-page news in Spain at various times between 1992 and 1995. In itself, there was nothing particularly new about it: a newly formed financial group engaged in legally and ethically reprehensible behaviour that eventually came to light in the media, ruining the company (and the careers of those involved). What aroused public interest at the time was the fact that it involved individuals connected with Spanish public and political life, the media and certain business circles. Above all, it demonstrated the personal, economic, social and political consequences of a business culture based on the pursuit of easy profits at any price (what came to be known as the cultura del pelotazo or "culture of the fast buck"). Again, this is all too familiar in business ethics. But it served to goad Spanish society into a rejection of such behaviour. This article describes the facts and their ethical implications.

Business in politics: Globalization and the search for peace in South Africa and Israel/Palestine

(1998). Business in politics: Globalization and the search for peace in South Africa and Israel/Palestine. Israel Affairs: Vol. 5, Israel: The Dyanamics of Change and Continuity, pp. 103-120.

Political instability and business: Focus on Shell in Nigeria

Business managers name Africa's political instability as a key obstacle to economic development, but many companies continue to invest in Africa. The article explains this apparent contradiction by looking at the case of Shell in Nigeria. Nigeria experiences serious political instability, yet Shell is expanding its investment in the country. This article deals with sources of firm-specific political instability that have affected Shell in Nigeria in the past and attempts to explain why a specific corporation such as Shell may want to make investments in the country despite political instability. The examination of three different angles of Shell's activity, which forms the core of this paper, reveals that political instability does not hinder Shell from operating in Nigeria. Firstly, the international perspective illuminates in what way Nigeria may be more attractive to Shell than other countries. Profits in Nigeria appear to be higher than elsewhere, while Shell occupies a dominant market position unrivalled in most other countries. Secondly, the structural perspective illuminates the interconnectedness of Shell with state structures in Nigeria that may tie the company to Nigeria. Shell established a first mover advantage in the 1950s, since Nigeria was a British colony until 1960 and British oil companies were given preferential treatment. After independence, Shell managed to penetrate state structures which helped to hedge political risk in the country. Thirdly, the strategic perspective explores how Shell's strategic approaches may make political instability less significant to Shell. This article concludes that Shell has adopted to political instability. The conclusion that political instability can be conducive to business is significant since one expects political instability to be inherently harmful to business.

The conspicuous corporation: business, public policy, and representative democracy

Why, despite the political advantages of business in the policy process, do business interests still sometimes lose policy fights in the political system? Money, mobility, connections, and incentives load the political system in favor of business interests. Against the odds, when the conspicuous corporation meets the virtuous politician, business often loses in the policy struggle.In answering this question, Neil J. Mitchell reassesses the dimensions of business power in the political system and provides a fresh consideration of how economic power translates into political power. Charles Lindbloom's analysis of business power provides a point of departure for an examination of the evidence on business influence over public preferences, on the importance of business confidence to politicians, and on the financial and lobbying activities of business interests. Mitchell then considers the position of labor unions--the traditional opposition to business--in contemporary policy making. Finally, he discusses the conditions under which business power breaks down. This is accompanied by an analysis of a variety of cases in which business has attempted to influence the policy making process to test his findings.Extensively researched, this book sheds new light on the activities of business in politics, on the strength of interests opposing business, and on business policy failures in the United States and the United Kingdom. The empirical analysis builds on survey data, extensive interviews, and archival research.The relationship between business and government is a core topic for economists, sociologists and political scientists, taking us from heroic struggles over policy to sordid episodes of political corruption. The book will be of interest to scholars in the social sciences and in business schools as well as to the general reader interested in power and influence in representative democracies.Neil Mitchell is Professor of Political Science, University of New Mexico.

Balancing Flexibility—Meeting the Interests of Employer and Employee

Flexibility is a difficult concept because it is used in a number of different contexts, both in the world of work and in the political arena. It is advocated by some political leaders, business gurus, and employers as the necessary condition for the survival of national labour markets in a fast-moving world of growing global competition. It is also seen as the necessary response at the workplace to these selfsame volatile business conditions. Others, especially trade union leaders, reject the benefits claimed for flexibility, seeing it as a means to cut wage costs and increase employment insecurity. Getting beyond the rhetoric, is it possible to see flexible work arrangements achieving mutual advantage to employers and employees? This article suggests that it is possible to do this, but only through employers understanding the different needs of their individual employees; the workforce for its part has to understand the business imperatives behind the need for change. A “dealing” process is outlined to indicate how the interests of the parties might be recognized and reconciled.

From Brown to Green?

Is one of the advantages of late industrialization the ability to incorporate advanced environmental technology in manufacturing? Under what conditions will this take place? This article examines the case of Thailand's pulp and paper industry, which became among the most technologically advanced in the world in the mid-1990s. It documents the social, political, economic, and environmental conditions of this technological greening, noting its accomplishments and limitations. It analyzes the structure of Thailand's pulp industry, examines an eco-catastrophe involving one firm, and addresses the influence of political turmoil, resource conflicts, and business dynamics on that process. Data were collected through site visits, interviews, correspondence, and archival research in Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and the United States, from 1993 to 1997.

Organized Business Politics in Democratic Brazil

In May 1996 Brazil's National Confederation of Industry (CNI) convened a meeting of industrialists in Brasilia for a mass show of unity and focused lobbying in favor of constitutional reform. Industrialists large and small heeded the call. Nearly three thousand of them from all over Brazil chartered planes and packed shuttles. Fortified by a morning of speeches demanding constitutional reforms, the industrialists fanned out over Brasilia in the afternoon to argue their case to members of the national congress. As if to demonstrate that it could not be intimidated, however, Congress chose that very afternoon to vote down a reform proposal backed by business. By the end of that year, it was clear that business had made little progress in pushing several amendments it supported.

Performance and Textuality in Aristophanes' Clouds

During the 5th century BCE Athenians honored the god Dionysus at two public events with ritual activity, political business and public spectacle. The smaller of the two, the Leneaen festival, took place in the winter, and the city Dionysia a few months later in the spring.2 These festivals featured a number of musical and poetic events, but they are best known to us as the occasions for the performance of Greek tragedy and comedy.3 Comments Reprinted from The Yale Journal of Criticism, Volume 10, Issue 2, 1997, pages 397-421. The author has asserted his right to include this material in ScholarlyCommons@Penn. This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/classics_papers/27