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Opportunity Structures for Citizens' Participation: The Case of the European Union

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  • Nentwich, Michael

Abstract

This paper offers an analytical framework in order to capture the various channels for the involvement of citizens in democratic systems. It introduces the notion of 'opportunity structures for citizens' participation' (OSCPs) and analyses seven dimensions of OSCPs. This analytical framework is then applied to the political system of the EU. The paper argues that a closer look at the EC institutions' work during the few years since the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty reveals an increased focus on citizens' involvement. However, as will be shown here, only indirect and non-binding, largely informal OSCPs have been implemented so far. With a view to the current Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and democratic reforms even afterwards, the article concludes with some proposals for innovative OSCPs at the Euro-level.

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  • Nentwich, Michael, 1996. "Opportunity Structures for Citizens' Participation: The Case of the European Union," European Integration online Papers (EIoP), European Community Studies Association Austria (ECSA-A), vol. 0, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:erp:eiopxx:p0001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shaun Bowler & David M. Farrell, 1993. "Legislator Shirking and Voter Monitoring: Impacts of European Parliament Electoral Systems upon Legislator‐Voter Relationships," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 45-70, March.
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    1. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/8523 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Favell, Adrian, 1998. "The Europeanisation of immigration politics," European Integration online Papers (EIoP), European Community Studies Association Austria (ECSA-A), vol. 2, December.
    3. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/8523 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Cornelia Woll, 2006. "Lobbying in the European Union: From Sui Generis to a Comparative Perspective," Post-Print hal-01021182, HAL.
    5. Cornelia Woll, 2006. "Lobbying in the European Union: From Sui Generis to a Comparative Perspective," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-01021182, HAL.
    6. Wu, Jing & Chang, I-Shin & Yilihamu, Qimanguli & Zhou, Yu, 2017. "Study on the practice of public participation in environmental impact assessment by environmental non-governmental organizations in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 186-200.
    7. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/8523 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/8523 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Gemma Mateo González, 2006. "Domestic Politics and Referendums on the Constitutional Treaty," EUI-RSCAS Working Papers 32, European University Institute (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (RSCAS).

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