Organizations and the state: An interactive view

This dissertation examines field level relations among organizations and the state. I develop a perspective that takes into account both state legitimating activity as well as the actions of interest groups whose activities shape actions of the state as well as organizations. This dissertation focuses on federal agency rule making behavior. Because the agency rule making process, the process that occurs once a rule is proposed by an agency, is independent of legislation, organizations must directly participate in the rule making process rather than utilizing influence tactics such as lobbying and political action committees. By examining such interaction, aspects of the nature of state-organization interactions that have previously not been considered are revealed. To illustrate the process three agencies are qualitatively and quantitatively examined. Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), rulemaking is examined as is NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) rulemaking activity in the form of FMVSS (Federal motor vehicle safety standard) 225, a rule aimed at establishing standards for vehicle child restraint systems. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) rulemaking is also examined. Federal docket comments concerning TSA, NHTSA and FAA rules are examined using qualitative and quantitative approaches respectively Findings suggest that agency rule making activity is shaped by agency interactions with organizations and interest groups who attempt to shape policy in their interests; however the nature of this interaction depends on the nature of both the organizations and state actors in question. More specifically, like other organizations, state actors will vary in their power and influence depending on their size and age. It is these aspects of state actors that dictate the nature of and extent of organizational influence on state agency rulemaking.