What Matters: Public and Private Agendas in Cross-National Perspective

Monday, May 11, 2026

4:00 PM-5:30 PM

The Drexel Department of Politics proudly welcomes Beth Leech, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, for a discussion of her latest book, "What Matters: Public and Private Agendas in Cross-National Perspective," which is currently under review. Professor Leech studies American politics, the roles of interest groups, social movements, and the mass media in the public policy process. Her work is informed by theories of collective action, agenda building, and human cooperation and coordination.

About the Book:
It is commonly thought that organized interest groups wield disproportionate influence over public decision-making. The media frequently report close relationships between affluent, self-serving special interests and policymakers; and citizens rank lobbying as one of the least respected occupations of all. But a fair amount of research has found minimal evidence that lobby groups successfully influence national policy decisions. Why is there so little evidence of something so many believe to be true?

Contact Information

Khushi Patel
kp3248@drexel.edu