Date: 2017
Type: Article
The connection between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition in the EU : from ACTA to the financial crisis
Journal of European integration, 2017, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 453-467
CRESPY, Amandine, PARKS, Louisa, The connection between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition in the EU : from ACTA to the financial crisis, Journal of European integration, 2017, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 453-467
- https://hdl.handle.net/1814/59107
Retrieved from Cadmus, EUI Research Repository
With no formal division between majority and opposition in the parliamentary arena, the European Union (EU) calls for an approach to political opposition which considers the role of civil society. This article explores the case of opposition to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) within and without the European Parliament (EP) through a political opportunity approach, using the case to reflect on conditions for effective opposition in the EU. The ACTA campaign saw opposed actors within the EP and digital rights groups work together to build coalitions against the agreement. Protests then opened the way for these groups to broker a change of position among other actors, allowing a majority rejection. The ACTA case suggests the need for advocacy by organised groups both within and without the Parliament to construct majorities. Comparisons to similarly successful campaigns bolster this view, as do examples of less effective opposition.
Additional information:
Published online: 05 Apr 2017
Cadmus permanent link: https://hdl.handle.net/1814/59107
Full-text via DOI: 10.1080/07036337.2017.1309038
ISSN: 0703-6337; 1477-2280
Publisher: Routledge
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