Interest group participation in the formulation or modification of public policies: analysis of the legislative process in Jalisco (2018-2023)

Abstract

Studies aimed at understanding public policy-making processes have often downplayed the role of the legislature, instead focusing on the relationships between the executive and various interest groups. According to public choice theory and interest group theory, interest groups are said to influence the legislative process in at least three ways: 1) by fostering public support for a legislator; 2) by providing the legislator with information about voter preferences; and 3) by directly or indirectly bribing legislators. Furthermore, ignorance of these mechanisms can have serious consequences, such as legislators being more responsive to interest groups than to the general public, as well as the inefficacy of the public policy potential derived from legislative outputs. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of the legislature’s role in the policy-making process by addressing the following question: What types of interest groups participate in the legislative process with the potential to create or modify policies? To this end, a case study approach is employed, analyzing the Congress of Jalisco over the five academic years from 2018 to 2023. This includes a documentary review of the explanatory statements of the main bills and reforms submitted to the plenary session, as well as the creation or modification of policies stemming from these initiatives published in the Official Gazette of the State of Jalisco.