Institutions and Business Strategies

Abstract

This chapter focuses on business’ relationship with the EU’s institutions, in particular the European Commission and the European Parliament. From a theoretical perspective, the chapter discusses the role of legitimacy and information-expertise as central resources defining business access. It then examines the growing role of political parties, and the rise of political financing as an alternative lobbying resource. Empirically, the chapter draws from a large-N analysis of a population of 12,000 lobbyists, business, and policy-maker surveys, and an analysis EU-level political parties’ budgets. The chapter also includes a case study on the use of information and business strategies across institutional settings focusing on the European Emissions Trading Scheme. The chapter’s analyses shows how business interests mobilize in similar proportions across institutions. Interestingly, when lobbying members of the European Parliament they address parties across the ideological spectrum. Simultaneously, business donations to EU-level parties are increasing over time, with centre-right and Eurosceptic parties outperforming centre-left and left wing parties. In doing so this chapter contributes to discussions about, information-access, input/output legitimacy, political financing, and business lobbying politicization.