BETWEEN THE MARKET AND THE STATE - THE ROLE OF AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS IN PUBLIC-POLICY

This article tests hypotheses on the relationships between the nationa l characteristics of state, economy, and business culture and the orga nizational character and political role of business associations, draw n from the international literature on business associations,. against new empirical evidence from Australia. Australia's weak state structu res, fragmented economy, and firm-centered business culture produce th e expected pattern of fragmented business associations engaged in trad itional forms of policy advocacy, lobbying, and pressure pluralism. Ho wever, these findings need to be qualified in three ways. Not all asso ciations fit the hypothesized relationships; there have been significa nt recent attempts to overcome associational fragmentation through ad hoc, issue-based coalitions; and evidence indicates a shift from lobby ing functions toward quasi-governmental roles in the public policy pro cess. These qualifications call for rethinking of Australian business politics and speak to wider theoretical issues about the extent to whi ch macro political and economic structures shape political behavior.