The Influence of Bias in Public Affairs
We live in a world of biases, whether we want it or not. For example, we subconsciously tend to favor familiarity, such as people from the same cultural origin, the same gender, or even the same generation. This so-called “Similarity attraction bias” is a psychological tendency where people feel more comfortable and connected with others who share similar characteristics, such as gender, background, or interests.
When Bias Enters Professional Spaces
In your everyday life, biases are usually rather harmless (even though acknowledging them is always a good idea in order to fight prejudice!), but in professional settings, this bias can lead individuals, like policymakers, to prefer interacting with or granting opportunities to people who resemble themselves. This can unintentionally create barriers for diverse teams by limiting access or influence to those who may not share similar traits, potentially impacting fair representation and decision-making inclusivity. And when it comes to the really important decisions, such as legislation that impacts millions of people, biases can pose a real equality issue.
New Research Sheds Light on EU Lobbying Access
The recent article “Access for All? Socio-demographic Biases and Interest Group Access to the European Parliament” by Iskander De Bruycker in the Journal of European Public Policy explores biases in lobbying access based on socio-demographic traits, particularly gender and national origin. The study highlights how these dynamics impact democratic representation and policy influence in the EP.
Key Takeaways from the Study
1. Socio-demographic Biases Exist in EP Access - Gender Balance Boosts Access
When we think about “lobbyists”, the image that often comes to mind is a GenX, white, cis-hetero male in an expensive suit, having long lunches with his buddies, the decision-makers. Now, we know of course that this is not the truth, yet there is an undeniable gender imbalance among the lobbyists.
However, the study shows us that interest groups with female lobbyists and lobbyists from old EU member states have higher access to MEPs. Moreover, teams with a balanced gender composition are more likely to secure access to MEP’s, showing that gender diversity strengthens lobbying efforts.
2. Non-EU Background Hinders Access - Similarity Attraction in Gender and National Origin
The “new” member states cover approximately 23% of the EU population. Yet, according to the study, they are seriously underrepresented in the lobbying circles.
Teams with lobbyists from non-EU origins encounter biases, as they may be perceived as less relevant or face stereotypes, reducing their EP access. According to the study, MEPs are more inclined to meet lobbyists sharing similar backgrounds, enhancing access for teams with gender or national origin overlap.
However, as stated in the study, interest groups with lobbyists from new member states may have a better chance of securing access when reaching out to policymakers from new member states, benefiting from similarity attraction.
How Smaller, Less Diverse Teams Can Compete
Brussels is filled with small EU teams working on restricted budgets, often consisting of only a handful of people. So, what can you do if your team lacks diversity or gender balance? And is it game over for teams from newer member states trying to influence MEPs from the “old” member states?
At SAVOIRR, we don’t think so. We believe in openness and equal access to information. Since day one, our mission has been to create a platform that provides data and insights, enabling even the smallest teams to maximize their public affairs success without wasting time searching for critical information scattered across the internet.
Empowering Teams with SAVOIRR
Our latest addition, the SAVOIRR AI Companion, creates comprehensive political profiles of MEPs with just a few clicks. It allows anyone to quickly understand the argumentation style and most prominent topics of any MEP, making every meeting a strategic success.
Gain Your Fair Advantage with SAVOIRR
Want to power up your lobbying and level the playing field? Book a demo with SAVOIRR and discover how our platform can work for you and your team!
Link to the original article; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13501763.2024.2409822?scroll=top&needAccess=true#d1e439
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