How the EU Institutions Work and… How to Work with the EU Institutions (2nd edition)

摘要

Among the numerous descriptive works on the European Union, this one stands out in being written for a specific readership, namely, those who wish to influence its decisions: the public would call them lobbyists, although the European Union (EU) itself prefers the politer term "Interest representatives". It is, therefore, a book with a purpose: its authors describe it as "A practical step-by-step guide to influencing the EU". The work is divided into three sections. The first describes, in considerable detail, the decision-making processes of the three major EU institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament) and of their numerous, but less well-known, subsidiary bodies. The authors demonstrate throughout their comprehensive knowledge of its workings. They emphasise that lobbyists require to study not just the formal structures and procedures but the informal working methods which are not specified in the EU's founding treaties. It is also essential to analyse the timetable for the legislation they are interested in and carefully ascertain which politicians and officials should be approached.