Lobbying in the United States of America and European Union: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to set in a comparative perspective the development of lobbying in the United States of America and the European Union, taking into account the particular political and institutional structure that characterizes these two areas. Lobbying, as an activity that has had a significant expansion over recent decades, has become increasingly a legitimate part of every democratic system. As such, the legislation of each country has been expanded and adapted to include and regulate such lobbying activities. Per se lobbying is a matter of interest to be studied whether in terms of challenges, opportunities, transparency and potential access it has for influencing the political system of a country. And the two entities that make up more interest to be studied in relation to their properties or characteristics of lobbying are USA and EU. Although the techniques of lobbying in Brussels and in Washington are often regarded as the same, the differences in style and content are still existent between the two areas. The comparative analysis in this paper takes into account institutional differences that exist between the United States of America and European Union; the more strict regulatory approach that leads activities of lobbyists in USA and that less formal in regulating lobbying activities that characterizes the political institutions in the EU; differences that exist in the ways of funding the different lobbying groups; and the differences that exist in the ways of representing diverse interests between these two areas. From such a comparative perspective, this paper will identify the diversities and differences that exist in lobbying between the USA and EU.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s2p103