Original scientific paper

Interest groups and lobbying in the European Union

Igor Vidačak

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of interest groups and lobbying as an institutionalised democratic practice in the EU. Its main purpose is to draw the attention to the importance of understanding the structure and functioning of the European system of organised interests in Brussels, as well as to the importance oj being familiar with the basic
pre-conditions of effective lobbying in the policy making process in the EU. The first section gives an overview oj the main characteristics of European interest groups, with a special regard to some new trends in their actions, as well as to the main indicators of their
influence on the EU policy-making. After that, there is a short outline of principles of successful lobbying in Brussels, and an analysis of the key channels of influence on decision-making process, focusing on the European Commission, the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The final chapter deals with the main challenges facing the interest groups in the light of the forthcoming EU enlargement, both from the EU and candidate countries perspective.

Keywords

interest groups; lobbying; EU policy-making process; EU enlargement

Hrčak ID:

122723

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/122723

Publication date:

1.10.2003.

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