The Loci of Power and Connection: a framework for exploring the democratic relationships of civil society organisations

Riboldi, M

The Loci of Power and Connection: a framework for exploring the democratic relationships of civil society organisations

Riboldi, M

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Publisher:: PALGRAVE MACMILLAN LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Interest Groups and Advocacy, 2024, 13, (2), pp. 244-263
Issue Date:: 2024-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Riboldi, M https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8241-604X
dc.date.accessioned	2025-06-22T23:52:16Z
dc.date.available	2025-06-22T23:52:16Z
dc.date.issued	2024-06-01
dc.identifier.citation	Interest Groups and Advocacy, 2024, 13, (2), pp. 244-263
dc.identifier.issn	2047-7414
dc.identifier.issn	2047-7422
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/187843
dc.description.abstract	This article constructs a framework for understanding the activities of interest groups and other civil society organisations (CSOs) in relation to their democratic connections with people and communities. This is achieved by considering whether CSOs engage with people in terms of decision-making in a manner that is centralised or decentralised, counterposed with the nature of the connection, be it relational or transactional. The resulting LOPAC (Loci of Power and Connection) framework highlights four types of CSO activity, each of which has potential democratic utility and drawbacks: (1) Bare Essentials—decentralised engagement, transactional connection; (2) Crowd Control—centralised engagement, transactional connection; (3) Honeycomb—decentralised engagement, relational connection; and (4) Closed Doors—centralised engagement, relational connection. The framework is connected to key discussions within the literature, in particular around the legitimacy of CSOs, how CSOs act as transmission belts for citizens’ interests to reach those in power, and the ongoing professionalisation of the sector. The framework aims to assist scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to understand the democratic implications of the complex decisions that CSOs make on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the framework aids in understanding what areas CSOs can focus on when they find that their modes of engagement are inadvertently having impacts contrary to their democratic aims.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	PALGRAVE MACMILLAN LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Interest Groups and Advocacy
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1057/s41309-024-00209-7
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1605 Policy and Administration, 1606 Political Science
dc.subject.classification	4407 Policy and administration
dc.subject.classification	4408 Political science
dc.title	The Loci of Power and Connection: a framework for exploring the democratic relationships of civil society organisations
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	13
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
utslib.for	1606 Political Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Business School
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Business School/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-06-22T23:52:15Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	13
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

This article constructs a framework for understanding the activities of interest groups and other civil society organisations (CSOs) in relation to their democratic connections with people and communities. This is achieved by considering whether CSOs engage with people in terms of decision-making in a manner that is centralised or decentralised, counterposed with the nature of the connection, be it relational or transactional. The resulting LOPAC (Loci of Power and Connection) framework highlights four types of CSO activity, each of which has potential democratic utility and drawbacks: (1) Bare Essentials—decentralised engagement, transactional connection; (2) Crowd Control—centralised engagement, transactional connection; (3) Honeycomb—decentralised engagement, relational connection; and (4) Closed Doors—centralised engagement, relational connection. The framework is connected to key discussions within the literature, in particular around the legitimacy of CSOs, how CSOs act as transmission belts for citizens’ interests to reach those in power, and the ongoing professionalisation of the sector. The framework aims to assist scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to understand the democratic implications of the complex decisions that CSOs make on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the framework aids in understanding what areas CSOs can focus on when they find that their modes of engagement are inadvertently having impacts contrary to their democratic aims.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/187843