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EURO07007 2022 European Affairs: Lobbying and Representation in the EU

General Details

Full Title
European Affairs: Lobbying and Representation in the EU
Transcript Title
Lobbying and the EU
Code
EURO07007
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
EURO - European Studies
Department
BUS - Business
Level
07 - NFQ Level 7
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Kerry Dolan, Joan Morrison
Programme Membership
SG_BBUSI_J07 202200 Bachelor of Business in Business SG_BBUSI_H08 202200 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business SG_BBUSS_B07 202200 Bachelor of Business in General Business SG_BADMN_B07 202200 Bachelor of Business in Business Administration SG_BBUSJ_B07 202200 Bachelor of Business in Business SG_BBUSB_H08 202200 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business SG_BBUSI_H08 202200 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business SG_BBUSG_B07 202300 Bachelor of Business in General Business SG_BBUSJ_B07 202300 Bachelor of Business in Business (exit)
Description

Lobbying at the EU level has increased substantially. This module explores the ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘why’ of lobbying and representation at EU level. We will examine the key players – the EU Institutions, Trade Associations, Regional Governments, Non- Governmental Organisations and Business Groups. What strategies and influence do  these actors exert on the policy and decision-making process of the EU? Simulated EU Commission, Parliament and/or Council of Ministers meetings are the practical exercises to examine the reality of lobbying and how it impacts the democratic process. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Appraise the European Union as being 'different' from conventional international organisations

2.

Identify and evaluate the EU decision-making and channels of influence

3.

Appreciate the different approaches of lobby groups stemming from geographical origin, type and size of organisation and thus exhibiting particular preferences, resources and lobbying styles

4.

Identify and appraise the activities of lobbyists and pressure groups working in Brussels

5.

Prepare and defend a position for a simulated EU Commission or Council of Ministers meeting

6.

Analyse and appraise a lobbying strategy document of a Brussels based interest group

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching and Learning methods include formal lectures, class discussion/debate , a guest lecture/talk - e.g. TDs, MEPS and Lobbyists,

The    Simulation is the key practical exercise  - it  allows students to become immersed in a lobbying strategy.
This is experiential learning and is an opportunity to do an  EU negotiation on a policy/decision-making topic. 

Multiple Choice Questions - to ensure engagement and understanding with key theories and concepts.  

Module Assessment Strategies

Continuous Assessment:
Multiple Choice type questions - 3 to 4 between weeks 2 and 11 
Oral Presentation - 25%, between weeks 5 and 10; 
Simulation meeting of an EU Council/Commission Meeting 25%, in Week 9

Repeat Assessments

Repeat project and a written 'repeat' exam, as appropriate.

Indicative Syllabus



Regional integration and the international system:
- different degrees of cooperation between state
- the European Union as an experiment in regional integration
EU decision-making and Channels of Influence
The commission, The European Parliament and The Council of Ministers
Routes of influence - the 'national route', the 'Brussels route'
Lobbying and Interest Representation in the European Union
- theories of interest group politics
Lobbying Europe - Interest groups and EU Policy-Making
Business interests - the large firm as a political actor
Trade Unions, public interests and social movements
Territorial Interests: at the heart of mulilevel governance

The Regulation of Lobbying
European Transparency Initiative and the European Commission Lobbying register
Simulated Meeting
- workings of the EU with a simulated meeting of Council of Ministers or Commission or European Parliament Committee and corresponding interest group representation

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
50 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
50 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Case Study Appraisal of Interest Representation Groups Formative Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test - % OnGoing 1,2,4,5,6
2 Formative and Summative Assessment Oral/Written Presentation on Lobbying Strategy Coursework Assessment Assessment 25 % OnGoing 1,2,3,4,5,6
3 Continuous Assessment Team Project and/or EU Simulation Meeting Coursework Assessment Assignment 25 % Week 9 1,2,3,4,5

End of Semester / Year Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Final Exam Written and/or oral exam Final Exam Closed Book Exam 50 % End of Term 1,2,3,4,5,6
             
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Flat Classroom Lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Workshop / Seminar Lecture Theatre Lecture Seminar 2 Weekly 2.00
Independent Learning UNKNOWN Literature reviews, essay writing 4 Weekly 4.00
Cultural Trip Not Specified Cultural Study Trip 0 Once Per Semester 0.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2021-01-24 Business Lobbying in the European Union Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 9780199589753 ISBN-13 0199589755

This book systematically maps and assesses business lobbying in the European Union, drawing from political science and business studies.

Required Reading
2015-11-28 Lobbying the European Union Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 9781472452139 ISBN-13 1472452135

Bringing together contributions from academics and practitioners on the theme of strategic, intelligent modern lobbying this book provides a thorough and accessible discussion on key ideas pertinent to the pursuance of public affairs in the European Union. Combining innovative academic research with first-hand professional experience it offers the reader a combination of practical recommendations, case studies and academic theory to add new insights to interest group research and lobbying strategies.

Required Reading
2020-08-14 Lobbying Success in the European Union Routledge
ISBN 0367590379 ISBN-13 9780367590376

Lobbying Success in the European Union effectively bridges research from interest mediation and framing studies and offers a new model about how to measure stakeholders' success. This new and pragmatic approach to study lobbying success can be used and adapted to any policy analysis and issue.

Required Reading
2019-02-04 Lobbying in the European Union Springer
ISBN 3319987992 ISBN-13 9783319987996

This book sheds new light on how lobbying works in the European Union. Drawing on the first-hand professional experience of lobbyists, policymakers, and corporate and institutional stakeholders, combined with a sound academic foundation, it offers insights into successful lobbying strategies, such as how alliances are formed by interest groups in Brussels. The authors present key case studies, e.g. on the shelved EU-US trade deal Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), lobbying scandals, and the role of specific interest groups and EU Think-Tanks. Furthermore, they highlight efforts to improve transparency and ethical standards in EU decision-making, while also underscoring the benefits of lobbying in the context of decision-making. Understanding the tools and techniques of effective lobbying, as well as the dynamics and trends in EU lobbying, will allow professionals involved in the lobbying process, such as policymakers and corporate and institutional stakeholders, to improve their performance and achieve better results when pursuing their respective interests.

Required Reading
2020-11-14 Understanding the European Union Red Globe Press
ISBN 9781352011197 ISBN-13 1352011190

Understanding the European Union is now more crucial than ever, and this text provides a succinct but nuanced account of its development and how it works. This book will be the ideal guide for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses in political science, global affairs and European Studies.

Required Reading
2018-12-11 Lobbying in the European Union Springer
ISBN 9783319988009 ISBN-13 331998800X

This book sheds new light on how lobbying works in the European Union. Drawing on the first-hand professional experience of lobbyists, policymakers, and corporate and institutional stakeholders, combined with a sound academic foundation, it offers insights into successful lobbying strategies, such as how alliances are formed by interest groups in Brussels. The authors present key case studies, e.g. on the shelved EU-US trade deal Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), lobbying scandals, and the role of specific interest groups and EU Think-Tanks. Furthermore, they highlight efforts to improve transparency and ethical standards in EU decision-making, while also underscoring the benefits of lobbying in the context of decision-making. Understanding the tools and techniques of effective lobbying, as well as the dynamics and trends in EU lobbying, will allow professionals involved in the lobbying process, such as policymakers and corporate and institutional stakeholders, to improve their performance and achieve better results when pursuing their respective interests.

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

Core Text:

Coen, D., Katsaitis, A., Vannoni, M., (2021). Business Lobbying in the European Union. Oxford University Press, USA

Doris Dialer, Margarethe Richter (2019)  Lobbying in the European Union Strategies, Dynamics and Trends Springer Cham 

 

Recommended Reading:

 

McCormick John, 2019 Understanding the EU 8th editionPalgrave Ma cmillan
Olivier Costa and Nathalie Brack, (2018) How the EU Really Works (2nd edition)  Routledge 2nd edition

John Greenwood (2011) Interest Representation in the European Union  Palgrave Macmillan (3rd ed)
Klüver, Heike (2010): Europeanization of lobbying activities: When national interest groups spill over to the European level, Journal of European Integration, 32, 2, 175-191 
 Eising, R. (2006) ‘Interest Groups and the European Union' in: M. Cini European Union Politics. Second Edition Oxford University Press, pp. 202-21

Desmond Dinan, (2004) Europe Recast Palgrave 2004
Bulmer and Lesquesne, (2005)The member States of the EU, Oxford University Press
Bloomberg et al (2008) The European Union  How does it work? Oxford University Press

Journal Resources

The Journal of Common Market Studies
The European Journal of Political Research
Journal of European Public Policy
Political Studies.
 Perspectives on European Politics & Society

 

 

URL Resources

http://www.transparencyinternational.eu

www.alter-eu.org

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/bibliotheque/briefing/2013/130558/LDM_BRI(2013)130558_REV1_EN.pdf

www.lobbyfacts.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/homePage.do - the European Transparency Register website

Other usefu web-sites:

 The official website of the EU - we will use and consult this website throughout the course: / https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en
The Institute of International and European Affairs: https://www.iiea.com/
News and views:  https://www.euractiv.com/
Political resources on the net: http://www.politicalresources.net/europe.htm
Votewatch:  www.votewatch.eu for information on how the EP votes
How co-decision (the ‘OLP’) operates post-Lisbon: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/code/information/guide_en.pdf
EP’s co-decision (the ‘OLP’) website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/code/default_en.htm  
Factsheets of the EU - https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/home
Simulation Game of College of Europe Brugges - https://www.coleurope.eu/news/simulation-game-department-european-political-and-governance-studies
The EU Simulation / the Chocolate Directive https://europe.wisc.edu/outreach-opportunities/european-union-chocolate-simulation/
Agence Europe is a long running publication on the EU http://www.agenceurope.com/EN/index.html  
POLITICO, a global politics and policy news organization, launched in Europe in April 2015,  a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE.
This free course on  Coursera is a useful overview / https://www.coursera.org/course/europe

 

Other Resources

Microphones in a meeting room setting for the simulation meetings
FLAT Room ONE hour per week 
Computer LAB ONE hour per week

Additional Information

A cultural study trip and specialist guest lectures will feature as part of this module.