CONSULTATION
SitemapKey findings
Does the government consult with
economic and social actors in the
course of policy preparation?
economic and social actors in the
course of policy preparation?
Societal consultation scores are composed of a single qualitative assessment.
Consultation scores
Consultation scores
ConsultationKey findings: Societal consultation
Criterion ranking are split into four groups. In the score distribution graphs, click on the bars to see individual countries’ scores.
Top group
In this top group, governments consult widely and consistently with outside groups in the development of proposals, often helping to develop support for policy.
Finland and Norway are traditionally consensus-oriented societies, with interest organizations, particularly trade unions and business groups, playing an active role in the legislative process. Corporatist models in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden historically involve outside groups closely, but these processes are being transformed by globalization.
In the USA, outside interests play an active, often combative lobbying and support-mobilization role, with no consensus expected.
Finland and Norway are traditionally consensus-oriented societies, with interest organizations, particularly trade unions and business groups, playing an active role in the legislative process. Corporatist models in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden historically involve outside groups closely, but these processes are being transformed by globalization.
In the USA, outside interests play an active, often combative lobbying and support-mobilization role, with no consensus expected.
Upper middle group
8
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
13
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
In this group, consultation with outside groups is common if sometimes selective, with considerable success in facilitating policy support.
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Poland have institutionalized structures to engage with outside interests, typically focusing on labor and employers’ groups. In the group’s remaining states, consultation is less formalized but remains frequent.
The financial crisis proved damaging to consensus models in Luxembourg, Iceland and Spain, but Poland’s government successfully used its Tripartite Council to negotiate a crisis response, earning it this criterion’s most-improved position relative to the SGI 2009.
Japan’s government shift has increased labor unions’ voice, while unions are losing influence in Canada. Interest group leadership in Mexico is not always representative of organizations’ broader membership, lending an element of uncertainty to consultation.
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Poland have institutionalized structures to engage with outside interests, typically focusing on labor and employers’ groups. In the group’s remaining states, consultation is less formalized but remains frequent.
The financial crisis proved damaging to consensus models in Luxembourg, Iceland and Spain, but Poland’s government successfully used its Tripartite Council to negotiate a crisis response, earning it this criterion’s most-improved position relative to the SGI 2009.
Japan’s government shift has increased labor unions’ voice, while unions are losing influence in Canada. Interest group leadership in Mexico is not always representative of organizations’ broader membership, lending an element of uncertainty to consultation.
Lower middle group
21
6.0
6.0
23
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
In this group, government consultation with outside groups is not a routine or deeply influential part of the policy-making process, or formerly strong models have broken down.
In Germany, policy-makers meet with outside groups, but do not use institutionalized channels to win support for policies. France’s Sarkozy has tried to involve interest groups in reform projects, but consultation traditions are weak.
In Turkey, Hungary and Italy, institutions or practices meant to facilitate support have not been widely used. In Portugal, the government’s willingness to compromise has grown since the SGI 2009, while Slovakia’s leadership treated most outside organizations as opponents.
The financial collapse brought a painful end to decades of amicable social partnership in Ireland, with government, labor and employers unable to agree on crisis response measures.
In Germany, policy-makers meet with outside groups, but do not use institutionalized channels to win support for policies. France’s Sarkozy has tried to involve interest groups in reform projects, but consultation traditions are weak.
In Turkey, Hungary and Italy, institutions or practices meant to facilitate support have not been widely used. In Portugal, the government’s willingness to compromise has grown since the SGI 2009, while Slovakia’s leadership treated most outside organizations as opponents.
The financial collapse brought a painful end to decades of amicable social partnership in Ireland, with government, labor and employers unable to agree on crisis response measures.
Bottom group
In this bottom group, institutions for consultation with outside groups are underdeveloped.
The UK’s tradition of top-down decision-making was loosened somewhat during the Blair years. However, collaboration remains largely informal, without consensus as a goal.
In South Korea, the Lee government has reversed its predecessor’s participatory model, increasing structural hierarchy and consulting primarily with business interests.
The UK’s tradition of top-down decision-making was loosened somewhat during the Blair years. However, collaboration remains largely informal, without consensus as a goal.
In South Korea, the Lee government has reversed its predecessor’s participatory model, increasing structural hierarchy and consulting primarily with business interests.