Chapter 12 Interest Groups and the European Union Chapter by Rainer Eising & Sonia Lehringer Cini & Pérez-Solórzano Borragán European Union Politics, 3rd edition

Lecture Plan Institutional setting EU democracy and civil society Chapter 12 Slide 2 Lecture Plan Institutional setting EU democracy and civil society Regulation European and national interest groups Europeanization of domestic interests

Institutional Setting (1) Chapter 12 Slide 3 Institutional Setting (1) Key features of interest groups in the EU EU as opportunity structure Financially and structurally supported by EU Actively included in policy making process

Institutional Setting (2) Chapter 12 Slide 4 Institutional Setting (2) Key characteristics of the EU (1) EU is highly dynamic system (2) Horizontal and vertical differentiation (3) Consensus building (4) Perceived legitimacy deficit (1)-(4) influences interest group behaviour (1) EU as highly dynamic Shape of EU impacts number & type of interest groups Groups develop with EU political agenda

Institutional Setting (3) Chapter 12 Slide 5 Institutional Setting (3) (2) Horizontal and vertical differentiation Role varies across pillars, institutions & policy Pillar 1: Relatively good access to EU institutions Pillars 2 & 3: Intergovernmental → highly restricted Commission: most important institution; contact with DGs EP: increasingly important; less important than Commission & Council; responsive to “diffuse” interests EU Council: not usually lobbied directly European Council: little contact with interest groups ECJ: potentially useful but lengthy & costly process European Economic and Social Committee (EESC): brings organised interests into policy; minor role

Institutional Setting (4) Chapter 12 Slide 6 Institutional Setting (4) (2) Horizontal and vertical differentiation Variation through multi-level system Different actors for different geographical territories Multiple points of access Coordination of action across levels (European, national, regional, local) (3) Consensus building Common practice due to unpredictable policy agenda & complex political system (4) Perceived legitimacy deficit

Democracy and Civil Society Chapter 12 Slide 7 Democracy and Civil Society Affect upon EU’s democratic deficit Interest groups boost input & output legitimacy EU uses external actors to increase efficiency of policy EU increases functional representation through engagement with citizens’ interests EU can monitor social change through interests groups

Regulation of Interest Groups (1) Chapter 12 Slide 8 Regulation of Interest Groups (1) To regulate or not to regulate? Commission Preferred self-regulation; now promotes regulation Sought to increase democracy and legitimacy through transparent and inclusive use of interest groups Established voluntary register Includes code of conduct For review in 2009 (possible upgrade to compulsory)

Regulation of Interest Groups (2) Chapter 12 Slide 9 Regulation of Interest Groups (2) European Parliament Concern re. integrity of MEPs Established register for interest groups On signature of code of conduct, access pass received NB In favour of single, compulsory register for lobbyists MEPs record paid activities & donations received NB Reservations re. democratic credentials of interest groups (sectoral representation)

Regulation of Interest Groups (3) Chapter 12 Slide 10 Regulation of Interest Groups (3) Proposed changes CT (2004) “The Democratic Life of the Union” “open, transparent, regular dialogue” Towards participative democracy Citizens’ initiatives Treaty of Lisbon “Provision on Democratic Principles” Same features as CT (above)

European & National Interest Groups Chapter 12 Slide 11 “Eurogroups” National interest groups Composed of national associations Provide expertise and seek to persuade EU institutions Distribute info on EU activities Fewer functions, fewer resources More visible at EU level Intermediaries between national and European Often internal disaggreement Composed of individuals Approach national members of EU institutions & national institutions Less visible at EU level Involved when EU policy implemented at domestic level

Business Interests Key features Chapter 12 Slide 12 Business Interests Key features 80% of groups for producers’/employers’ interests Sensitive to growth of European agenda e.g. Business Europe (formerly UNICE) est. 1958 Social partners in social dialogue from mid-1980s Large firms engage independently & directly → “elite pluralism” Effectiveness varies over time and issue Why dominance of business interest groups?

Diffuse Interests Key features Chapter 12 Slide 13 Diffuse Interests Key features e.g. Social, human rights, religious, etc. Large groups, broad scope, no clear membership → organisational problems Developed with EU agenda e.g. European Environmental Bureau (EEB) est. 1974 Largest growth rate in 1990s Commission and EP provide financial support e.g. Commission’s Social Platform Increase legitimacy credentials To what extent are these groups independent?

Europeanization of National Interests Chapter 12 Slide 14 Europeanization of National Interests Increased importance of EU policy → Consequences for national interest groups Reassessment of group interests Development of a European perspective Intra- and inter-organisational changes Possibly enhance/weaken domestic ties Organisation and issue-specific impacts

Chapter 12 Slide 15 Lecture Review Organisation of interest groups reflects EU shape and agenda EU interest groups distinct from national Europeanization Differences between business & diffuse Role to promote of democracy & legitimacy?