Sunrise over Brussels?

ISBN-13: 9783639124606 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 112 str.

Till Sommer

Opis

Lobbying is not only an essential part of everymodern democracy, but it is also a highly debatedissue. Decision-makers and political scientists alikeconsider lobbying as a vital component of effectiveand efficient policy-making. However, considerablesections of the media and the public perceive it asan intransparent part of the policy-making process inwhich representatives of powerful interests strivefor concentrated benefits by offering checks insmoke-filled rooms. The European Transparency (ETI)tries to address this misconception by establishing avoluntary register for interest representatives. Theproposal of the register initiated an occasionallyheated debate among Brussels lobbyists and theEuropean institutions. This book addresses the keyissues of this debate and provides an academicallysound assessment of the ETI. It covers the generalrationale of the register as well as its definitions,procedures, scope and focus. While the book comes toa rather negative conclusion, it offersrecommendations for improvements and contributes to astill ongoing debate that is no longer limited toBrussels but increasingly spreads into the MemberStates as well.

O autorze

Till Sommer holds a BSc and a BA in Public Administration
(special emphasis European Studies) from the Universities of
Twente, The Netherlands and Münster, Germany. He focused his
studies on lobbying processes in the EU, and is currently
studying Public Affairs & Lobbying MSc at Brunel University, West
London. He pursues a career in Public Affairs.