One explanation for the development of European integration concerns the actions and perspectives of private and public collective interests at the European level. This work seeks to address questions surrounding the European political economy and asks how and why collective action is formed at the European level. It also considers whether collective action at the transnational level is driven by rational, utility maximizing behaviour or whether explanations couched in social terms are more convincing. Chapters introduce empirical studies in the domains of business, the professions, consumers and environmental interests. By examining group pressure at the European level, this volume aims to reach conclusions which it hopes may contribute to a better understanding of policy making in the European Union.

One explanation for the development of European integration concerns the actions and perspectives of private and public collective interests at the European level. This work seeks to address questions surrounding the European political economy and asks how and why collective action is formed at the European level. It also considers whether collective action at the transnational level is driven by rational, utility maximizing behaviour or whether explanations couched in social terms are more convincing. Chapters introduce empirical studies in the domains of business, the professions, consumers and environmental interests. By examining group pressure at the European level, this volume aims to reach conclusions which it hopes may contribute to a better understanding of policy making in the European Union.

This is a story about governance in Mexico after the labor and environmental accordsOCocalled side agreementsOCothat accompanied the NAFTA treaty went into effect. These side agreements required member states to uphold and enforce their labor and environmental laws; though never codified, it was widely accepted that Mexico, in particular, had a problem with law enforcement.
"Side Effects" explores how differences in institutional design (of the side agreements) and domestic capacity (between the labor and environment sectors) influenced norm socialization in Mexico. It argues that the acceptance of rule-of-law norms in environmental governance can be attributed to participating institutions' independence from national control, their willingness to give citizens access, and the professionalization and technical capacity of domestic bureaucrats and civil society actors. Changes in labor governance have been hampered by union confederations, longstanding corruption, and a closed opportunity structure. Going beyond a simple accounting exercise of resources devoted to enforcing the law, this book comes to grips with how best to strengthen local capacity and promote pro-norm behaviorOCoadvances essential to the task of development and democratization.

This is a story about governance in Mexico after the labor and environmental accords--called "side agreements"--that accompanied the NAFTA treaty went into effect. These side agreements required member states to uphold and enforce their labor and environmental laws; though never codified, it was widely accepted that Mexico, in particular, had a problem with law enforcement.
"Side Effects" explores how differences in institutional design (of the side agreements) and domestic capacity (between the labor and environment sectors) influenced norm socialization in Mexico. It argues that the acceptance of rule-of-law norms in environmental governance can be attributed to participating institutions' independence from national control, their willingness to give citizens access, and the professionalization and technical capacity of domestic bureaucrats and civil society actors. Changes in labor governance have been hampered by union confederations, longstanding corruption, and a closed opportunity structure. Going beyond a simple accounting exercise of resources devoted to enforcing the law, this book comes to grips with how best to strengthen local capacity and promote pro-norm behavior--advances essential to the task of development and democratization.