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New Instruments in the Corporate Political Toolkit: The Role of Political Philanthropy
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New Instruments in the Corporate Political Toolkit:
The Role of Political Philanthropy
Gretchen Crosby Sims
Stanford University
Joyce Foundation
## email not listed ##
Abstract:
This paper explores firm use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – and particularly
philanthropy – as a political resource. CSR encompasses such things as charitable giving, environmental protection and conservation steps, employee volunteerism programs, and employer of choice initiatives. These activities, which have been all but overlooked by political scientists, represent an enormous, largely hidden source of political power for corporations. My research shows that many of America’s biggest firms link their civic activities to their political operations. A survey of Fortune 500 government affairs executives finds that politicians pressure firms to make philanthropic donations to preferred charities, that firms frequently comply with such requests, and that they use CSR activities as opportunities to strengthen relationships with public officials. This resource is an important component of business political power, and yet is wholly distinct from the assets we know the business community possesses in terms of money, lobbying, and a structural “privileged position.” Moreover, corporate spending on political philanthropy likely dwarfs corporate spending on either PAC contributions or soft money.
Prepared for delivery at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, August 28 - August 31, 2003. Copyright by the American Political Science Association.
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New Instruments in the Corporate Political Toolkit:
The Role of Political Philanthropy
Gretchen Crosby Sims
Stanford University
Joyce Foundation
## email not listed ##
Abstract:
This paper explores firm use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – and particularly
philanthropy – as a political resource. CSR encompasses such things as charitable giving,
environmental protection and conservation steps, employee volunteerism programs, and
employer of choice initiatives. These activities, which have been all but overlooked by political
scientists, represent an enormous, largely hidden source of political power for corporations. My
research shows that many of America’s biggest firms link their civic activities to their political
operations. A survey of Fortune 500 government affairs executives finds that politicians
pressure firms to make philanthropic donations to preferred charities, that firms frequently
comply with such requests, and that they use CSR activities as opportunities to strengthen
relationships with public officials. This resource is an important component of business political
power, and yet is wholly distinct from the assets we know the business community possesses in
terms of money, lobbying, and a structural “privileged position.” Moreover, corporate spending
on political philanthropy likely dwarfs corporate spending on either PAC contributions or soft
money.
Prepared for delivery at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association,
August 28 - August 31, 2003. Copyright by the American Political Science Association.
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