Lobbyismen – et apolitisk emne - Dr

Abstract
Purpose: This thesis studies the construction of Danish lobbyism as a non-problem. I have
two main errands. One is to deliberate the policy makers’ thoughts on lobbyism. Thereby I
wish to deliberate their thoughts about possibilities and appropriateness as regards to
lobbyism. The other errand is to contribute to the understanding of, why the question of
regulating the Danish lobbyism has not yet been put on the official political agenda.
Methods and theory: These errands are persecuted primarily through answering the
question of the role of discursive practices in policy formulation. My theoretical point of
departure is Norman Faircloughs critical discourse analysis (CDA) as well as the new
institutionalism. As I have highlighted a political problem, I believe that the strategic actions
of creative actors constitute an important piece in order to understand the relationship. In
CDA and the new institutionalism it appears, however, so that discursive practices and
historical institutions have overriding effects. I have addressed this deficiency in relation to a
political context, using the discursive institutionalism and adjustments of the concepts
discourse coalitions and story lines, which I have selected from Maarten Hajers argumentative
discourse theory.
Results: The thesis shows that principal discussions on the role of the lobbyism only rarely
take place in a formal setting in Denmark. Quite the reverse it is found to be perceived as
inappropriate to discuss this in a political setting. The topic is considered apolitical. It is the
agreement that lobbyism not only is unproblematic but in reverse a democratic contribution.
The problems regarding lobbyism are constructed to be the obstacles therefore. Thus I have
identified two main coalitions regarding the problematic aspect of the relationship between
the Danish political system and outside interests. This is the very small Overthrowing
Coalition and the hegemonizing Keeping Coalition. The Overthrowing Coalition perceives
some of the lobbyism as malicious and wishes to eliminate this in order to facilitate the other.
The Keeping Coalition perceives malicious lobbyism as non-existing in a Danish context.
Consequently most of the politicians agree that the absence of scandals in Danish history end
the degree of openness and trust between the political actors make regulation redundant.
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