The political influence of São Paulo business: comparing the political strategies and policy impact of the paulista agricultural and industrial sectors

• Grant number: 15/20184-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: May 02, 2016
• End date: September 01, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Political Science - Political Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Wagner Pralon Mancuso
• Grantee: Wagner Pralon Mancuso
• Visiting researcher: Mahrukh Doctor
• Visiting researcher institution: University of Hull, England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Relações Internacionais (IRI). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project aims to study business as a political actor in the state of São Paulo. More specifically, it aims to study the influence of São Paulo business - both in the industrial and agricultural sectors - on policy-making at the federal level from 2003 to 2014. This period covers the first three mandates of presidents of the Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT), that is, Lula I, Lula II and Dilma I. The research project will examine business interest articulation and collective action on major policy issues by analysing the behaviour of business associations that represent São Paulo industry and agricultural sectors as a whole, i.e. the Federation of Industry of the State of São Paulo (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo, FIESP) and the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of São Paulo (Federação da Agricultura e Pecuária do Estado de São Paulo, FAESP) respectively. It will also analyse the behaviour of business associations representing important industrial or agricultural sub-sectors in the São Paulo state economy. This is a collaborative research project with participation of Mahrukh Doctor (University of Hull, UK and planned PVE at IRI-USP) and Wagner Mancuso (IRI-USP). The main research questions are: To what extent was business success/failure a reflection of its collective action capabilities, political strategies and modes of interaction with the state? To what extent were institutional arrangements, policy-making processes and state capabilities a factor in business political influence and policy impact? The main research objectives are to (i) better understand the opportunities for impact for societal actors/business on the policy-making process and policy outcomes at national level; (ii) evaluate the relative importance of campaign finance and direct lobbying activities; (iii) compare successful strategies within and across the agricultural and industrial sectors; and (iv) assess how business collective action contributes to development-enhancing policy and investment outcomes. (AU)