Authors : Shreyas B. S.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/bdh5z8dj

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/272fh6wv

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan1399

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This paper aims to clarify the concept of astroturfing and explore its possibilities to influence policymaking through economic narratives. In the absence of a single verified definition, "astroturfing" implies a deceiving grassroots action staged by corporates and political groups to influence and shape public opinions on specific policies. By using the economy as a defense, interest groups inundate the public with narratives about the advantages and disadvantages of implementing specific policies. The study analyzes two case studies—fossil fuel lobbyists' efforts to weaken climate policies and the telecommunications industry's arguments against net neutrality regulations. The findings will explore the relationship between astroturfing and aided economic control over policymaking processes. Further, the paper contributes to sensitizing the stakeholders about the astroturfing practices employed and emphasizes greater transparency and countermeasures to safeguard democracy in policymaking.

Keywords : Astroturfing, Grassroots, Narrative, Policymaking, Democracy.

References :

1. “Astroturf Campaigns: Transparency in Telecom Merger Review” by Victoria Peng. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjlr/vol49/iss2/6/.
2. Bandelow, N. C., Hornung, J., & Schröder, I. (2025). Narratives and framing in policy making. Review of Policy Research, 42(5), 1082–1086. https://doi.org/10.1111/ropr.70053.
3. Crow, D., & Jones, M. (2018). Narratives as tools for influencing policy change. Policy & Politics, 46(2), 217–234. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557318x15230061022899.
4. Da Rosa Lazarotto, B. (n.d.). The Grass is not Always Greener on the Other Side: The Use of Digital Astroturfing to Spread Disinformation and the Erosion of the Rule of Law. LSU Law Digital Commons. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/jsjp/vol3/iss1/9/?utm_source=digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu%2Fjsjp%2Fvol3%2Fiss1%2F9&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages.
5. Durkee, M. J. (2017a). Astroturf activism. Stanford Law Review, 69, 201–268. https://review.law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/01/69-Stan-L-Rev-201.pdf.
6. Durkee, M. J. (2017b). Astroturf activism. Stanford Law Review, 69, XXX. https://cclg.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/Astroturf-Activism_Durkee.pdf.
7. Epstein, D., Farina, C., & Heidt, J. (2014a). The value of words: narrative as evidence in policy making. Evidence & Policy, 10(2), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426514x13990325021128.
8. Epstein, D., Farina, C., & Heidt, J. (2014b). The value of words: narrative as evidence in policy making. Evidence & Policy, 10(2), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426514x13990325021128.
9. Epstein, D., Farina, C., & Heidt, J. (2014c). The value of words: narrative as evidence in policy making. Evidence & Policy, 10(2), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426514x13990325021128.
10. Fadlallah, R., El-Jardali, F., Nomier, M., Hemadi, N., Arif, K., Langlois, E. V., & Akl, E. A. (2019). Using narratives to impact health policy-making: a systematic review. Health Research Policy and Systems, 17(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0423-4.
11. Fischer, F. (2003). Public Policy as Narrative: Stories, Frames, and Metanarratives. In Reframing Public Policy: Discursive Politics and Deliberative Practices (pp. 161–180). https://doi.org/10.1093/019924264x.003.0008.
12. How fossil fuel lobbyists used “Astroturf” front groups to confuse the public. (2017, October 11). Union of Concerned Scientists. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.ucs.org/resources/how-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-used-astroturf-front-groups-confuse-public.
13. Levine, M. (2018, August 15). John Oliver spotlights corporate astroturfing masquerading as popular activism. Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://nonprofitquarterly.org/john-oliver-spotlights-corporate-astroturfing-masquerading-as-popular-activism.
14. Limilia, P. (2025). How people perceived and engage with political astroturfing accounts. Communication Research and Practice, 11(4), 512–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/22041451.2025.2531637.
15. Lits, B. (2020a). Exploring astroturf lobbying in the EU: The case of responsible energy citizen coalition. European Policy Analysis, 7(1), 226–239. https://doi.org/10.1002/epa2.1086.
16. Lits, B. (2020b). Detecting astroturf lobbying movements. Communication and the Public, 5(3–4), 164–177. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057047320969435.
17. Lits, B. (2020c). Detecting astroturf lobbying movements. Communication and the Public, 5(3–4), 164–177. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057047320969435.
18. Lyon, T. P., & Maxwell, J. W. (2004). Astroturf: Interest group lobbying and corporate strategy. In Michigan Business School, University of Michigan, Kelley School of Business, & Indiana University, Journal of Economics & Management Strategy (Vols. 13–13, Issue 4, pp. 561–597). Blackwell Publishing. https://webuser.bus.umich.edu/tplyon/PDF/Published%20Papers/JEMS%20Astroturf%20Lyon%20and%20Maxwell.pdf.
19. Mintrom, M., & O’Connor, R. (2020). The importance of policy narrative: effective government responses to Covid-19. Policy Design and Practice, 3(3), 205–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/25741292.2020.1813358.
20. Pimco. (2025, February 18). Narrative Economics. Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. https://www.pimco.com/gbl/en/resources/education/narrative-economics.
21. Roos, M., & Reccius, M. (2023). Narratives in economics. Journal of Economic Surveys, 38(2), 303–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/joes.12576.
22. Schoch, D., Keller, F. B., Stier, S., & Yang, J. (2022a). Coordination patterns reveal online political astroturfing across the world. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08404-9.
23. Schoch, D., Keller, F. B., Stier, S., & Yang, J. (2022b). Coordination patterns reveal online political astroturfing across the world. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08404-9.
24. Schwab, P., & Schwab, P. (2022, December 2). Astroturfing: definition and examples of opinion manipulation. Market Research Consulting. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.intotheminds.com/blog/en/astroturfing-definition-exemples.