The Europeanisation of interest groups : the cases of Ireland and Malta

Abstract

The most recognisable and researched impact of Europeanisation is upon government structures, processes and policies. However the study of its effects on domestic interest groups is still in its infancy stage. This article addresses such a gap in academic literature by examining to what extent interest groups are being exposed and influenced by European values and style of governance. Furthermore it also seeks to identify the typology of the enablers of change that are at play. Essentially, the article adopts a comparative and empirical case study approach, making use of mixed methodology, to investigate the complexity of the core issue from the Irish and Maltese perspectives, as two small island member states at the periphery of an integrated continent. Findings confirm that interest groups in the Republic of Ireland and Malta are undergoing through a process of domestic change due to Europeanisation, yet their gradual transformation is being marshalled by differing degrees and logics of change.