"Six Myths about Environmental Interest Organizations"

Abstract

Over the last 40 years, the number and influence of environmental interest organizations has grown around the world. Almost nonexistent in the mid-1960s, they now have an enduring presence within the politica! systems of all advanced industrial democracies. In popular images, the upstart environmental Davids courageously hold back the polluting Goliaths of big business. Under-funded, under-manned, and all too of ten ignored, they struggle to at best contain powerful economie interests who care little about the environment. Surprisingly, much of this popular image is wrong. Many of the things that we think we know about the mobilization, lobbying, and influence of environmental organizations are myths that are not supported by research on interest representation.