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When trade unions succeed: Cases of blocked liberalisation in the common market
Author(s) -
Leiren Merethe Dotterud,
Parks Louisa
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of political research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.267
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1475-6765
pISSN - 0304-4130
DOI - 10.1111/1475-6765.12044
Subject(s) - opposition (politics) , liberalization , political science , political economy , economics , business , international economics , international trade , market economy , law , politics
Despite the generally accepted weakness of trade unions at the E uropean U nion level, an analysis of two high profile cases – the S ervices D irective and the P ort D irective – shows that trade unions are able to mobilise effectively at the E uropean level and, within constellations of actors, crucially impact EU decision making. In contrast to common claims that a lack of access to EU institutions makes such groups powerless, it is argued here that the exclusion of large opposing societal groups from consultations is neither a quick nor a sure fire recipe for dismantling opposition. On the contrary, it politicises the process and may lead to opposing groups mobilising in more contentious ways.