1. Does Democratization Alter the Policy Process? Trade Policymaking in Brazil.
- Author
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Armijo, Leslie Elliott and Kearney, Christine A.
- Subjects
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DEMOCRACY , *DEMOCRATIZATION , *POLITICAL science , *POLITICAL leadership , *COMMERCIAL policy , *POLITICAL rights , *CIVIL society - Abstract
Democracy is supposed to give citizens oversight of the behavior and choices of their political leaders, while providing leaders with electoral incentives to respect the preferences of citizens. A shift from authoritarian to democratic rule consequently ought to alter policymaking. Using the case of Brazilian trade policy, we explore changed versus consistent patterns of post-transition interest aggregation, political participation, and economic goal-setting. Contrary to expectations of a notably enlarged role for Congress, we find that Brazil's executive still dominates trade policymaking. However, significant and increasingly transparent interest aggregation occurs within the executive. Moreover, policy capture by sectoral special interests is down, non-traditional civil society participants have gained some influence, and trade policy outcomes are arguably more public-regarding. We judge that Brazil's trade policy process has been incrementally democratized. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007