EURO07007 2022 European Affairs: Lobbying and Representation in the EU
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 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;
Appraise the European Union as being 'different' from conventional international organisations
Identify and evaluate the EU decision-making and channels of influence
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
Identify and appraise the activities of lobbyists and pressure groups working in Brussels
Prepare and defend a position for a simulated EU Commission or Council of Ministers meeting
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 Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Case Study Appraisal of Interest Representation Groups | Formative | Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test | 0 % | 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 |
Required & Recommended Book List
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
The Journal of Common Market Studies
The European Journal of Political Research
Journal of European Public Policy
Political Studies.
Perspectives on European Politics & Society
http://www.transparencyinternational.eu
www.alter-eu.org
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
Microphones in a meeting room setting for the simulation meetings
FLAT Room ONE hour per week
Computer LAB ONE hour per week
A cultural study trip and specialist guest lectures will feature as part of this module.