Relationship between Social Trajectories and Political Careers: The Revolving Door of MPs, Officials and Lobbyists in the EU and in some National Contexts

Abstract

The social trajectories of public office holders (POHs) are having an impact on their apprehension of political issues, on their related decisions and, ultimately, on policy making per se. Hence the relevance of studying these professional paths. Of these trajectories, the revolving door is deemed suspicious by many political observers since it relates to POHs who transfer to private activities within their purview; conversely, it also comprises individuals who come to occupy a POH role more or less directly connected to the sector where they were professionally active. In addition to the underlying conflicts of interest faced by individuals associated with the phenomenon, the revolving door raises questions about public institutions’ independence from private interests and presumably contributes to a politicization of the public service. Whether these fears are justified or not, the revolving door alters traditional forms of lobbying because of the complicity – if not connivance – it evokes between a lobby and a POH. Based on a comparative approach and on empirical and theoretical contributions, the panel will discuss extensively the revolving door in the European Union and in some national (or subnational) contexts, with a focus on the following questions: - What is the extent of the revolving door in different contexts? Has it been developing in recent years? - Are there sectors of activities that are more concerned? - Is it ideologically conditioned? - What are the intentions and motivations (or ambitions) that can explain decisions to pass through the revolving door? - What are the presumed effects of the phenomenon on the game of influence and on political institutions? - What are the ethical issues of the revolving door? - What is the effectiveness of the different rules adopted to regulate transfers between the public and the private sectors?

Title	Details
Lawyers as Lobbyists: Implications for the Revolving Door Phenomenon in the EU	View Paper Details
Revisiting Jean Blondel. Post-Ministerial Careers in Portugal: A Longitudinal Perspective (1983-2013)	View Paper Details
Revolving Doors in Canadian Politics: An Overview	View Paper Details
The Lobbyists and the European Parliament : Is there a Revolving Door Effect?	View Paper Details
The Revolving Door in a Post-Corporatist State: Is the Division Between Labor and Capital Persisting?	View Paper Details
Pathways to Power: Careers, Communication Skills, Political Contacts and the Obtainment of Ministerial Office	View Paper Details