Stakeholders and the consumption tax of sugar-sweetened beverages in Colombia

Abstract

Stakeholders are key actors in public policy decisions. This article analyzes the decision-making process of the proposed consumption tax on sweetened beverages in Colombia and the role of stakeholders in that process. To this purpose, this study uses stakeholder analysis, for which information on the decision-making process and the role of stakeholders was collected from document review and structured interviews; in addition, the level of relationships, incidence, and power of the interviewed stakeholders was determined. The findings show the influence and power of the beverage industry to block public agenda processes that go against their interests; for which they use different instruments, such as organizational and persuasive capacity, their economic power, among others. In conclusion, decision making is a function of the mobilization of different sectoral interests. This case reflects the need to strengthen the democratic system, with greater influence from civil society.