Lobbying the EU Institutions in a Pluralistic Environment: An Analysis of the Public Affairs activities in Brussels based on Interviews with Stakeholders, Decision-makers and Officials at the Institutions

Abstract

At lobbe er det vigtigste redskab når det kommer til at påvirke beslutningstagere i det politiske system i EU. I Bryssel er konkurrencen om beslutningstagere på EU-institutioner opmærksomhed er solid med kraftfulde modstykker konkurrerer om dagsorden for at gøre deres opfattelse hørt. EU har en pluralistisk struktur for at opretholde demokratiet blandt interessegruppen, men det ser ikke ud til at fungere efter hensigten og stærke korporative elementer er indlysende. Interesserne er mange, men det vigtigste er at have de samme interesser som institutionerne fleste kompetencer, da dette giver fordele i forhold til at påvirke resultaterne af politikkerne. At være en kraftfuld og ressourcestærke med specifik viden er derfor af betydelig fordel, da EU-institutionerne er afhængige af eksterne kilder i den politiske proces. Dette gør lobbyvirksomhed en kompleks aktivitet i EU 's spilleregler og den stærke repræsentation af interesser øger kompleksiteten. For at opnå en fuldstændig sejr kræver, at man vinder i alle de tre arenaer dvs. "EU, som skal tillade det ønskede resultat; interessenterne, som skal levere støtte; og organisationen derhjemme, som skal give opbakning "(Schendelen 2013: 119). Men chancerne for at opnå alle tre er ikke høj på grund af den usædvanligt solid og kraftfuld konkurrence. De fremmeste grunde til konkurrencen er på tværs af pres på embedsmænd har at arbejde under, og at der er en mangel på tillid blandt interessenterne, på samme tid som den egen organisation ofte er delt. Interessenterne har indflydelse på den politiske beslutningsproces, selv om en sejr i alle tre arenaer ikke opnås, hvilket resultaterne af de politikker beviser, der er inkluderet. Sådan virker det i virkeligheden er analyseret i denne afhandling, hvor der er anvendt en kvalitativ forskningsmetode, hvor interessenter inden dyrevelfærd, miljø, kooperativer, landbrug og byerne interviewes. For at opnå viden om den anden side af bordet, blev interviews også lavet med beslutningstagere og folk, der har indflydelse på disse på institutionerne. Interviewene semistruktureret muliggør en øget indsigt i de faglige oplevelser af lobbyvirksomhed arena i Bruxelles og de hindringer den pluralistiske arena består. De mennesker, der deltog i den forskning kan ikke være takkede nok. Det var deres generøsitet, der gjorde denne afhandling muligt. Pluralisme og korporatisme blev valgt som teorier sammen med interesserepræsentation. Den interesserepræsentation var nødvendig for at skabe en forståelse for, hvad lobbyvirksomhed arena i Bruxelles indeholdt. Definitionen af pluralisme og korporatisme i denne sammenhæng diskuteres i forhold til repræsentation interesse. EU-institutionerne kompetencer er også inkluderet på grund af dens betydning i forhold til den interessenter indflydelse og lobbyisme tilgang, hvor procedurerne er af betydning for, hvem der skal påvirke for at opnå den ønskede endelige resultat.

Lobbying is the most important tool when it comes to influence the policy-making in the political system of the EU. In Brussels the competition for decision-makers at the EU institutions attention is solid with powerful counterparts competing for the agenda to make their view heard. The EU has a pluralistic structure in order to maintain democracy amongst the interest group, but this does not appear to function as intended and strong corporatist elements are evident. The interests are many, but the key is to have the same interests as the institutions with most competences, since this gives advantages in regards to influence the outcomes of the policies. To be a powerful and resourceful with specific knowledge is therefore of significant advantage, since the EU institutions are dependent on external sources in the policy process. This makes lobbying a complex activity in the EU’s playing field and the strong representation of interests adds to the complexity. To achieve a complete victory requires that one wins in all the three arenas i.e. “the EU, which has to allow the desired outcome; the stakeholders, which have to deliver support; and the organization at home, which must provide backing” (Schendelen 2013:119). But the chances for achieving all three are not high due to the exceptionally solid and powerful competition. The foremost reasons for the competition are the cross-pressure on the officials have to work under and that there is a lack of trust amongst the stakeholders, at the same time as the own organisation is often divided. The stakeholders have influence on the policy-making, even if a win in all three arenas is not achieved, which the outcomes of the policies proves, which are included. How it works in reality, is analysed in this thesis where a qualitative research method has been used where stakeholders within animal welfare, environment, cooperatives, agriculture and the cities are interviewed. In order to achieve knowledge about the other side of the table, interviews were also made with decision-makers and people who have influence on these at the institutions. The interviews were semi-structured enabling an increased insight in the professional experiences of the lobbying arena in Brussels and the obstacles the pluralistic arena consists. The people who took part in the research cannot be thanked enough. It was their generosity that made this thesis possible. Pluralism and corporatism were chosen as theories together with interest representation. The interest representation was necessary to create an understanding for what the lobbying arena in Brussels contained. The definition of pluralism and corporatism in this context is discussed in regards to the interest representation. The EU institutions competences are also included due to its importance in regards to the stakeholders influence and lobbying approach where the procedures is of importance to whom to influence in order to achieve the desired final outcome.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Lobbying the EU Institutions in a Pluralistic Environment: An Analysis of the Public Affairs activities in Brussels based on Interviews with Stakeholders, Decision-makers and Officials at the Institutions

[At Lobbe EU Institutionerne i et Pluralistisk miljø: en analyse af lobbyismen i Bryssel baserat på interviewer med interesse grupper, beslutningstagere og ansatte på institutionerne]