The impact of small states' lobbying in the European Union

Abstract

Conscious of its 'democratic deficit' and in-built detachment from the common citizen, the European Union (EU) is committed to attain more space for civil dialogue to materialise within its structures. This assurance is widening and deepening the range of opportunities for the numerous advocates of civil society to make their voice heard in the hybrid system of the Union's decision-making institutions. Within this context, this paper inc01porates a number of preliminary questions and initial thoughts that are forming the backbone of a Doctorate degree being undertaken by the writer. In essence, it sets out to identify any differences and similarities that subsist in the lobbying strategies 'of small member states, including their civil society's protagonists,, and the variances that exist (if at all) between small and large member states with regards to their respective influencing tactics. During the first years since its accession in the EU, Malta is still experimenting with its lobbying strategies at the European level. Do business endeavours and non-governmental organisations still opt to defend and/or promote their concerns by exerting pressures on their government? Or have they started to complement their performance in domestic activities by participating at the supranational level, forming alliances with Euro-groups, and establishing a sound technical and professional expertise to access the multi-layer dynamics of the EU institutions? In particular, this study focuses on the changing role of European small states' administrations and civil society in policy-making negotiations both within their domestic arena and in Brussels.