Suchergebnisse

This dissertation is guided by a general interest in the organisation of business interests and their power and success in achieving optimal outcomes in policy-making processes. One of the main results of this dissertation is that business interests should not be studied as a homogeneous unit. Challenging contemporary quantitative research on interest group lobbying that usually treats business actors as uniformly lobbying for the same policy outcome, the findings indicate that it makes sense to contextually differentiate between different kinds of business actors. Another main result is the highly contextual nature of business success in influencing policy processes. While researchers try to make their findings as general as possible, the literature review as well the empirical analyses make it clear that it is difficult to generalise across a wider range of cases. More specifically, the studies featured in this dissertation discuss the role of issue characteristics such as salience and issue-specific ad hoc coalitions on interest group success in preference attainment as well as the effect of financial expertise of the respective counter-party to business in policy-making processes. Last, this dissertation confirms previous findings that large business organisations do not always get what they want and, in fact, often have considerable difficulties and constraints in attaining their preferences and in creating large coalitions of actors lobbying for the same outcome.

This book demonstrates that a federal Europe is not a serious threat to the survival of the nation-state. Essential reading for all those interested in European federalism, European politics and the history of the EU.

Macroalgae-based products are increasing in demand also in Europe. In the European Union, each category of macroalgae-based products is regulated separately. We discuss EU legislation, including the law on medicinal products, foods including food supplements and food additives, feed and feed additives, cosmetics, packaging materials, fertilizers and biostimulants, as well as biofuels. Product safety and consumer protection are the priorities with any new products. Macroalgae products can be sold as traditional herbal medicines. The novel food regulation applies to macroalgae foods that have not previously been used as food, and organic macroalgae are a specific regulatory category. The maximum levels of heavy metals may be a barrier for macroalgae foods, feeds, and fertilizers. Getting health claims approved for foods based on macroalgae is demanding. In addition to the rules on products, the macroalgae business is strongly impacted by the elements of the general regulatory environment such as agricultural/aquacultural subsidies, maritime spatial planning and aquaculture licensing, public procurement criteria, tax schemes, and trade agreements.