Διαβουλευτική ικανότητα, διαπραγματευτική ισχύς και ευρωπαϊκές πολιτικές

Abstract

Over the last few decades there is a considerable proliferation of opportunities for direct participation of non-state actors in policy formulation and implementation of EU policies. The institutionalization of new modes of participatory governance and consultation with societal actors is particularly evident in policy areas were state actors witness considerable limitations in their capacity to resort to hierarchical modes of political steering. Those alternative modes of governance often come to complement the traditional community method of decision making as a response to the widespread dissatisfaction with the democratic credentials of EU institutions and the need to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and social acceptance of EU policies. Under what conditions do we expect that the systematic inclusion of non-state actors will narrow the legitimacy gap and empower the accountability and social control of EU policies? The present contribution reviews the main theoretical approaches that justify the need for the introduction of new inclusive modes of governance and direct consultation in the EU and provides a preliminary appraisal of their function in politically salient regulatory areas such as environmental policy, health and consumer protection.