Author: Morten Ougaard 

 

Civil society engagement with governance networks of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) varies across different issues areas. This study examines civil society involvement as it impacts accountability of the OECD in five selected areas, all of them related to international business regulation. The study identifies five different patterns of civil society engagement that affect the accountability of the OECD. First, a mobilization-activism pattern, as found in the episode of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI), led to increased openness on the part of the OECD. Second, an enhanced voice and access pattern of increased consultation and discussion with a broader range of civil society organisations, evident in all cases but one. Third, one finds a 'hard', enforceable accountability measure when civil society organisations invoke the institutionalized complaint mechanism of the National Contact Points concerning the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Fourth, in the OECD's work on the Model Tax Convention there is a pattern of high accountability to a specific constituency (business) mediated through the strong involvement of business associations. Fifth, a 'partners in implementation pattern' between the OECD and civil society organisations is found in relation to environmental policy and anti-bribery campaigns. Overall, partly as a result of civil society engagement, the OECD has become more open to a broader range of civil society organisations and has strengthened some specific accountability measures. The study identifies some factors that have facilitated this civil society impact: the anti-MAI mobilisations, the critical role of expert knowledge in civil society associations, and the creation of umbrella organisations.