Advocacy group

An advocacy, also called interest group ( rarely also advocacy, advocacy group ) to define the interests of a particular social group and represented.

• 5.1 Germany

Basic idea

The term of the interest group is defined as: " A voluntary or completion through various forms of coercion association of natural or legal persons, which is written to a minimum in order either to realize interests of the members themselves or enforce through participation or influence on community decisions without to strive for even the assumption of political responsibility. "

The basic idea of advocacy is always the co-determination, that is, to give people and businesses that are affected by social or other decisions and developments, the opportunity of participation and beyond to participate in decisions. This is the social peace.

However, since not all advise and negotiate with all at the same time, it is usually required that the persons represented within the advocacy have the opportunity to collectively and democratically to develop a unified position, then worn by the members and by the representatives outside is articulated.

Variety of forms

The interests are derived mostly directly or indirectly from the fundamental rights from. According to these fields of interest, the interest groups can be classified (for example, labor, consumers, etc. ). In a democracy, it is protected through freedom of assembly, freedom of association etc..

Some interest groups are explicitly underpinned by a legal basis (for example, works by the Works Constitution Act ), others rely exclusively on private initiative (eg ADAC, citizens' initiatives ). If they have achieved as a relevant group or entity size and legal form (eg association), one speaks of stakeholder organizations.

Advocacy but also includes works councils, councils, student councils, student representatives, parents 'meetings in schools and kindergartens, home councils in senior citizens' centers and many more in the area of ​​self-management and participation.

In the political context we group under the berufständischen advocacy agencies, entrepreneurs and business federations ( this one also used the term social partnership ), regional representatives ( local, regional associations ) against the general government bodies, trade associations and the like together.

Strategies to influence

The strategy of influence are diverse. While the outside strategy is primarily aimed at the general public and is used in mobilizing them, called the strategy inside a more traditional form of lobbying, which is mostly worn by economic interests. Both strategies try at different points in the policy cycle to be set.

Public relations

Each representation must, in particular, the criticism of the other side ask because there are social groups with opposing interests ( conflict of interest ). The clashes are held usually via the media and the public. A public relations outward and inward (information of members) is, therefore, necessary component of advocacy.

In the institutionally based advocacy should also be noted that, for example, information from the participation in a Board of Directors often the official secrecy (see Administrative Procedure Act ), the works council secrecy of the proceedings, with employees must be maintained and is silent on the staff at pending.

Lobbyism

A key feature of lobbying is his project character. In contrast to the public relations of interest groups, which can be understood as a permanent exchange relationship with politics, lobbying takes place selectively, within specific conditions and with the aim to increase enforcement opportunities for individual interests.

Opinion

In Germany there is a possibility of interest representation that moves between public relations and lobbying for interest groups by the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries. § 47 GGO provides a basis for the participation of interested organizations in the context of the legislative process. The relevant competent professional ministry is held to invite interested organizations to submit comments. However, there is for the associations no legal right to take over their arguments in the scheme.

Problems

If interest groups have reached a position where they can partake in negotiations on discussions addition, there is a danger of monopolization and the subsequent exploitation. So it can happen, for example, in individual establishments, that the works council chairman suddenly only the interests of the employer represents, during the strike at the council is over hardly possible.

A basic problem may develop if an advocacy without the involvement of the base acts. An opinion of which is not certain that they will mostly desired, understood and supported by its own base is usually implausible to the outside world and damaged the reputation of advocacy.

In addition, interest groups can also develop, although the real economic needs of their economically or politically powerful members, but can harm the interests of the company if necessary. Causes may be lack of awareness of the social responsibility and the potentially defective effects of one's actions on others, or even an insistence on ideologies.

In totalitarian states the interest groups befalls the DC circuit and control by the state.

In this context, the question of whether interest groups need to keep close to their real purpose, or whether their social responsibility at the same time, it even requires them to take a position on other political issues. For example, the General Political mandate is controversial at the universities.

Legal bases

Germany

A legal basis for the formation of interest was created in 1869 with the freedom of trade as well as 1867 with the establishment of freedom of association. In the Prussian Empire and the Weimar Republic often prevailed a very close bond between the party organizations and political parties.

The legal basis for works specified in the Works Constitution Act. In 1920 there was the council law.

Staff Councils followed in the 20s. The work of the staff councils is regulated in the codetermination laws of the countries, for example in the country Personalvertretungsgesetz Berlin ( LPersVG ).

The General Students' Committee ( student union ) emerged in the 20s. Their work is regulated higher education laws of the countries. In the states of Bavaria and Baden- Württemberg there are no rules. Work there temporarily, the Independent Students Committees ( UStA ) at universities.

Also the participation in retirement homes is regulated by law (Home participation regulation). In halls of residence is legal bases revealed only from the eligibility rules (for example, Federal Youth Plan ). Tenant councils in social housing were discussed in the early 80s of the social-liberal coalition, but not realized.

European Union

→ Main article European advocacy

In the European Union there is a comprehensive practice of involvement of stakeholders. In Article 11 TEU, the principles of consultation and participation are defined.