Bibliograph

Grassroots for hire, public affairs consultants in American democracy, Edward T. Walker

Type

Label

Grassroots for hire, public affairs consultants in American democracy, Edward T. Walker

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-263) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Grassroots for hire

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

864808714

Responsibility statement

Edward T. Walker

Series statement

Business and public policy

Sub title

public affairs consultants in American democracy

Summary

"Although 'grassroots' conjures up images of independent citizen organizing, much mass participation today is sponsored by elite consultants working for corporations and powerful interest groups. This book pulls back the curtain to reveal a lucrative industry of consulting firms that incentivize public activism as a marketable service. Edward Walker illustrates how, spurred by the post-sixties advocacy explosion and rising business political engagement, elite consultants have deployed new technologies to commercialize mass participation. Using evidence from interviews, surveys and public records, Grassroots for Hire paints a detailed portrait of these consultants and their clients. Today, Fortune 500 firms hire them to counter-mobilize against regulation, protest or controversy. Ironically, some advocacy groups now outsource organizing to them. Walker also finds that consultants are reshaping both participation and policymaking, but unethical 'astroturf' strategies are often ineffective. This pathbreaking book calls for a rethinking of interactions between corporations, advocacy groups, and elites in politics".--, Provided by publisher

Classification