Policy-Making and Integration in the European Union: Do Economic Interest Groups Matter?

Abstract

What lessons can be learnt about the role of economic interests in European integration? This article seeks to answer this question by looking at four themes: (1) the role of economic interest groups on national preference formation; (2) the role of economic interest groups on EU policy-making; (3) the effect of the EU on the economic interest groups; and (4) the role of economic interest groups on the process of European integration. This article finds that economic interests groups do not ‘a priori’ act in favour of European integration. Also we can conclude that economic interest groups seek to influence both national and EU level actors and institutions. Finally, the process of European integration affects the overall environment in which economic interest groups operate. Overall, economic interest groups appear to play a more prominent role in EU governance and policy-making than the literature on European integration theories typically has emphasised.