Lobby Strategies of Interest Groups in the European Union

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to develop an understanding of how interest groups influence policy-makers, specifically in the European Union. The research is based on a theoretical framework of demand and supply for access goods and on the concepts of access strategy, voice strategy and frame strategy. Interest groups can use these different channels to gain access to EU decision-makers or to influence them indirectly through the general public. In order to investigate the research question, a qualitative methodological approach is carried out by performing a case study on the interest groups involved with the debate on genetically modified organisms in the European Union, based on data obtained from interviews and document analysis. The case study shows that both business and civil society interest groups are primarily using access strategies, due to the European Commission opting for a more diversified supply of access. Furthermore, framing plays a key role in the lobby process

it can make or break an interest groups overall lobby strategy.