ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book starts from a historical and sociological study of business and trade associations actively involved with the institutions of the European Union (EU) in order to analyse a system of social relationships that structurally, and over the long term, excludes a large proportion of citizens from political decision-making. It seeks to restore the structuring role of the bureaucracy to its rightful place in the analysis of lobby groups. The book then examines how, from the 1960s, the constitution of an EEC administration favoured the formation of business associations at the European level rather than at a purely national level. It also paints a picture of the contemporary lobbying emphasising the important role ultimately acquired by the administrative resources of the Commission for many European and North American companies.