The European Business Interest and the Nation State: Large-Firm Lobbying in the European Union and Member States

In: Journal of public policy, Band 18, Heft 1, S. 75-100

Abstract

Examines how firms have restructured their political organization to maximize political options in the constantly evolving European public policy system, & assesses the impact of these changes on member states' industrial relations, drawing on survey data collected 1993-1997 on Europe's top 200 firms, including interviews with 50 European affairs directors & other officials. Analysis reveals the degree to which the creation of the single market & the strengthening of European institutions have harmonized firms' political activity across borders, sectors, & issues. It is concluded that multinationals have established a sophisticated political capacity that allows them to develop new multilevel & ad hoc political alliances; this new political coordination has standardized political responses across issues & altered national public policy systems. 2 Figures, 49 References. Adapted from the source document.