ABSTRACT
Lobbying – the practice of trying to influence policy making – is an integral part of life in Brussels. The number and scope of lobby groups now operating in Brussels are vast. As national governments have ceded more and more power to the EU institutions, it is natural that the activities of lobby groups have also shifted (Mazey and Richardson, 2006). Lobby groups are simply ‘shooting where the ducks are’ (Coen and Richardson, 2009: 344). Besides, European institutions, especially the European Commission, provide relatively easy access compared to some national ministries and parliaments. The European Commission has even actively encouraged the participation of such groups by setting up consultative committees and other bodies, and providing funds to establish and maintain certain core groups (Eising and Lehringer, 2010). The large number of lobby groups in Brussels also encourages others to follow, fearful that they will be left out. While it is not (yet) possible to verify the exact number of lobby groups in Brussels, Greenwood (2009: 11) calculates that in 2006 there were 2,478 groups. Of these, business interests (see Chapter 10) constitute around one half of the total while
Over the past 40 years the EU has attracted the interest of a vast number of lobbying groups as well as a sizeable literature describing and evaluating their role. In this chapter we argue that in recent years this situation has started to mature, and that now is a good time to reflect again on the activities and wider roles of lobby groups. We find that there has been a professionalization of lobbying activities in the EU. The Commission in particular has reacted to the increased importance and number of lobby groups by changing the way it governs its relationship with them. However, it is questionable if lobby groups are willing or able to reduce the EU’s alleged democratic deficit.
