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.

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.

Lobbying is vital to any business's success, yet politics can seem a dangerous world to navigate. How do you outmanoeuvre a professional negotiator on their home turf? How do you ensure you're in the right place at the right time? And, most importantly, how do you get politicians to do what you want? Drawing on thirty years' successful lobbying in European and international arenas, Darcy Nicolle lifts the veil on this elusive art. Revealing the strategies he's used and the strings he's pulled, Nicolle covers everything from the practicalities of planning campaigns and how to make sure you are the most persuasive person in the room, all the way to dealing with political risks and crises. Whether you need to lobby your local mayor or take on governments across Europe, The Secret Art of Lobbying will arm you with the tools you need to be the most influential player in the game.

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.

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Unique in bringing together contributions from academics and practitioners on the theme of strategic, intelligent modern lobbying this book provides a thorough and accessible discussion on key ideas pertinent to the pursuance of public affairs in the European Union. Combining innovative academic research with first-hand professional experience it offers the reader a combination of practical recommendations, case studies and academic theory to add new insights to interest group research and lobbying strategies. While focusing on the European Union the contributors acknowledge the multi-level dimension of EU decision-making and incorporate research on multi-level governance as well as lobbying by sub-national authorities. Through this they present a fuller picture of a subject that should appeal to students, academics and practitioners alike.