In times of genetically modified food, globalized production and distribution
chains, food safety is a major issue in public policy. Although industrial
actors have traditionally had remarkable influence on political decision-
making in this area, challenger organizations from civil society have gained
influence by mobilizing support and shaping public discourse on the Internet.
The authors’ study analyzes online issue networks concerning food safety in
order to assess the actor constellations and coalitions that may serve as an
opportunity structure for the mobilization of the issue. By comparing the US,
the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, the authors investigate the differences in
policy settings between pluralist and corporatist democracies. They find that
the mobilization structures related to food safety issues are actively
promoted by the challengers themselves. In countries where challengers do not
find support within national politics, the challengers’ online communication
refers to mass media as witnesses to legitimize their concern in public
debates
