week 3 eu

Question 1

! Can we speak of a political culture in EU?

Answer 1

difficult due to heterogeneity (different history, political socialization)
- people are more attached to own country
- huge differences between countries if they believe to have influence in EU
- Most trust is in EP

Question 2

What are EU active interests groups?

Answer 2

• firms
• business associations
• governmental organizations
  -citizen groups
• non-profit organizations
• professional associations
• research institutes
• trade unions
• social movements

Question 3

! How does EU interest groups identify with corporatism

Answer 3

there are certain institutions or interest groups within EU that have privileged access. for example, EU social and economic committee favors labor unions and corporations with professional associations

Question 4

! How does EU interest groups identify with pluralism

Answer 4

there are many groups that try to get access

Question 5

! How is the EU a designed pluralism?

Answer 5

European Commission holds exclusive rights to propose law in most legislations, they are increasing its own legitimacy by conducting something we consider as a government with people. By formulating new proposal, they try to involve many organizations. They create greater legitimacy and pragmatic strategy as a proposal stands a better chance when more organizations support it. Commission can even fund organizations to participate

Question 6

! Why is the European Commission more specifically targeted by interest groups?

Answer 6

they have an important role in agenda-setting and policy-formulation. They also initiate legislative and create advisory committees

Question 7

! Why is the Council of Ministers more specifically targeted by interest groups?

Answer 7

They are not part of the transparency register and they have rotating president

Question 8

! Why is the European Parliament more specifically targeted by interest groups?

Answer 8

they rely on expert input and are a naturally ally for groups that lobby on behalf of consumers, and environment and human rights

Question 9

! Why is the EU complex for interest groups?

Answer 9

• EU structure constantly evolves and provides many access points
• EU prefers consensus-based approach to policy-making
• dividing lobbying attention between (sub-)national and supranational level is costly in all ways
• finding right balance beween inside and outside lobbying strategies

Question 10

! In what ways is the EU transparent?

Answer 10

• EP has voluntary register and code of conduct for interest groups
• EC has multiple agreements, including voluntary register, code of conduct and publication of meetings with lobbyist
• 2011 European Transparency register

Question 11

What are the two main strategies for lobbying?

Answer 11

1. inside lobbying: trying to get into direct contact with policy-makers. Interest groups pursuing this strategy want to sit at the same table as decision-makers in order to affect their decisions (firms, industries, local governments)
2. outside lobbying: trying to put pressure on policy-makers by mobilizing public opinion through, (example) strikes and demonstrations. interest groups hope to affect decision-makers by showing their public support