Countless interest groups representing governments and non-governmental bodies try to lobby the European Union effectively in pursuit of the desired legislation, subsidies and more. Many lobby groups simply do what they see fit. Others manage their affairs in the EU arena more professionally, and it is their home front and their playing field which are the focus of this book. Filled with real cases, examples of good practice, and special issues of EU lobbying, it presents a wealth of information and analysis. Like other political processes, EU lobbying has its limits, acknowledged here, alongside its contribution to democracy, both of which are discussed in this thought-provoking and reflective book.

Countless interest groups representing governments and civil societies try to lobby the European Union effectively in pursuit of the desired legislation, subsidies and more. This book describes the everyday practice of lobbying in Brussels, drawing on extensive research and the author's personal experience. The objective of these interest groups is to influence the EU decision-making, of which they see themselves as a stakeholder. To the existing representative bodies such as the Parliament and the Council, they add their practice of lobbying for a desired outcome by making their interests present or represented at the EU level. In a roundabout way, they contribute to the EU integration and also to its democracy, so long as the following conditions are fulfilled.

Recalling the work of Niccolò Machiavelli, leading researcher Rinus van Schendelen distills the practices of successful lobbyists down to three basic principles: ambition, study, and prudence. Paying close attention to the special issues implicit in EU lobbying, this book illuminates the practice, its opportunities and pitfalls, and even its contributions to democracy. This revised edition has been strengthened with several new cases, insights and trends, and takes into account the new Treaty of Lisbon.

More Machiavelli in Brussels is een uniek boek over belangengroepen en de invloed die zij uitoefenen op de overheid, met name de Europese Unie (EU). Door bevindingen samen te voegen van zowel academici als EU-medewerkers heeft Rinus van Schendelen een praktische handleiding samengesteld, van onschatbare waarde voor een succesvollere lobby binnen de EU. Van Schendelen verbindt in zijn boek twee thema's. Het eerste is Public Affairs Management (PA): de expertise die nodig is om autoriteiten en belanghebbenden effectief en efficiënt te beïnvloeden. Lobbyen speelt hierbij slechts een kleine rol. Traditionele beïnvloedingsmanieren zijn steeds meer achterhaald en worden vervangen door PA. Het tweede thema is de Europese Unie als politiek systeem. Dit systeem is zeer belangrijk door haar wetten en besluiten en door de geldstromen van en naar de EU. Dit trekt ontelbaar veel belangengroepen die opereren voor overheden en maatschappelijke organisaties. Hoe wordt invloed binnen de EU gewonnen of in ieder geval niet verloren? Aan de hand van Machiavelli's uitspraken benadrukt Van Schendelen zijn drie steekwoorden tot succes: ambitie, studie en voorzichtigheid. In deze vierde herziene editie presenteert de auteur nieuwe feiten en voorbeelden uit de praktijk, beperkingen en problemen van PA binnen de EU en de belangrijkste wijzigingen van PA binnen de EU. Rinus van Schendelen is hoogleraar Politicologie aan de Erasmus Universiteit in Rotterdam.

Ton de Leeuw was a truly groundbreaking composer. As evidenced by his pioneering study of compositional methods that melded Eastern traditional music with Western musical theory, he had a profound understanding of the complex and often divisive history of twentieth-century music. Now his renowned chronicle Music of the Twentieth Century is offered here in a newly revised English-language edition. Music of the Twentieth Century goes beyond a historical survey with its lucid and impassioned discussion of the elements, structures, compositional principles, and terminologies of twentieth-century music. De Leeuw draws on his experience as a composer, teacher, and music scholar of non-European music traditions, including Indian, Indonesian, and Japanese music, to examine how musical innovations that developed during the twentieth century transformed musical theory, composition, and scholarly thought around the globe.

Fifty years after the conclusion of the Treaties of Rome (25 March 1957) and the foundation of the European Economic Community, Brussels has become a political world city and international capital with global influence. The acta of the interuniversity and international colloquium, held in Brussels on 18 and 19 December 2006, present a general outline of the research results and 26 contributions, based on original research and divided into three parts. The first part focuses on Brussels' position in the 'world city network'. How has Brussels grown into the European and international 'capital' we know today? What exactly is its legal status as the European 'Capital'? Of course, other aspects such as the relationship between the Brussels-Capital Region and the Europe of Regions and the role of Brussels as the place for lobbying the European Union are also examined. The second part focuses on the interaction between the European institutions and Brussels. What are the socioeconomic, demographic, political and linguistic effects of their presence? Finally, a number of pressure points and areas of tension are analysed. How is Brussels 'imagined' or represented as the capital of Europe? And what is the impact of the European presence on urban planning and security policy? -- Back cover.

Amid widespread awareness and discussion of “the democratic deficit” and “shrinking civil space,” the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) becomes increasingly important. Yet the precise legal status of such bodies is ill-defined. Here, for the first time, is a thorough commentary and analysis of the position of NGOs and European civil society in the European Union (EU) constitutional system, bringing to the fore existing and desirable means of public participation in EU lawmaking. Recognizing that NGOs have historically been designed to meet the ends of civil society, the analysis focuses on the following topics and issues: means in EU law of advocating for the collective interests of civil society; unofficial means of influencing the EU institutions; access to documents and the European Citizens’ Initiative as means of exerting pressure on EU legislation; relations between the EU institutions and NGOs, including lobbying activities; bringing actions in the common good before courts and other institutions; the special role of NGOs in environmental protection; complaints to the Commission and the European Ombudsman; EU funding for NGOs; and transboundary philanthropy. Drawing on a broad spectrum of sources of law, including CJEU case law and relevant legal literature, the book offers insightful proposals leading to the democratization of the EU’s internal procedures that will allow enhanced cooperation of civil society representatives across national borders. In its thorough examination of legal tools that can respond to the “democratic deficit,” this book makes a distinctive contribution to the public debate on the future of the European Union, especially in the context of emerging threats to further integration. It will prove of great value not only to civil activists, academics and policymakers but also to everyone interested in European integration and affordance for social participation.