Consultation tools and agenda-setting

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the consultation approaches and tools government have at their disposal to manage the agenda-setting phase and organize consultation process and, in this way, shape the participation and formulation of policy demands by external stakeholders. It outlines three types of consultation approaches: open, closed, and hybrid. The chapter then describes the strategies and motives that clarify preferences for certain consultation tools and approaches, addressing these questions from the perspectives of policymakers as well as external stakeholders. When designing consultation processes, determining specific approaches, and selecting particular tools, a central point of attention involves the extent to which they create an equal playing field among external stakeholders. This notion can be related to the treatment of policy participants and the way in which their input is processed, as well as to the open nature of the process and the ease of participation. The chapter finally addresses these two key characteristics of consultation processes and their fairness and inclusiveness.