Europe Inc.: Regional and Global Restructuring and the Rise of Corporate Power - Hardcover

Balanya, Belen; Etc.; Doherty, Ann; Hoedeman, Olivier; Ma'anit, Adam; Wesselius, Erik

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745314961 ISBN 13: 9780745314969

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2000

Synopsis

Over the past two decades the major international corporations have become industrial lobbyists within the European Community, to such an extent that they pose a threat to democracy. In turn the EC has been very receptive to the political agenda of corporate interest groups, in particular to the notion of making Europe a free trade zone. This book provides an insight into the systematic ways in which transnational corporations work through lobby groups to shape EU policy. The authors cover the major players in this anti-democratic practice and analyze the structural and political factors which have enabled corporate political influence in Europe to dominate. They examine: how governments have been persuaded to increase competitiveness by dismantling and privatising public services, deregulating industry and dismantling social and environment protections; the increasing influence of corporate lobby groups on decision makers and the corresponding lack of voice given to small business, organised labour and individual citizens; the impact of the single market and currency; structural adjustment in eastern Europe; and the role of the European industrial lobby groups within the WTO and the important multilateral agreement on investment. The range of case studies include European lobbying within the biotech industry, the PR industry and the UN climate summit.

About this title

Review

...thoroughly researched and fluidly written book. -- Review on Medialens.org

This is a devasating analysis of the various forums attached to the EU which ensure corporate opinion prevails -- Lobster

This thoroughly researched and lucidly written book encouraging citizens to claw back the power that governments have ceded to corporations. -- Red Pepper

This well-researched book, painstakingly complied by the multinational watchdogs, offers a wide-ranging and historical guide -- European Voice

About the Author

Belen Balanya works with the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) in Amsterdam. CEO is a research and campaign group targeting the threats to democracy, equity, social justice and the environment posed by the economic and political power of corporations and their lobby groups.Ann Doherty works withOliver Hoedeman works with the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) in Amsterdam. CEO is a research and campaign group targeting the threats to democracy, equity, social justice and the environment posed by the economic and political power of corporations and their lobby groups.Adam Ma'anit works with the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) in Amsterdam. CEO is a research and campaign group targeting the threats to democracy, equity, social justice and the environment posed by the economic and political power of corporations and their lobby groups.Erik Wesselius works with the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) in Amsterdam. CEO is a research and campaign group targeting the threats to democracy, equity, social justice and the environment posed by the economic and political power of corporations and their lobby groups.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745314961
• ISBN 13: 9780745314969
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224