Societal change will drive business

A new era for lobbying

The lobbying environment has evolved to reflect changes in politics, business and Europe. Fully embracing this new era, EPPA operates beyond the traditional, anachronistic and increasingly inefficient approach to lobbying.

Global political developments Political developments in the EU Business management responses EPPA history
1960s - 1980s: the lobbying prehistory
  • Reconstruction post world war completed
  • Rise of Japan
  • Cold Ware hinders further Economic growth
  • Rapid economic development in Europe & America
  • Difficult transition from colonial style trade relations
  • First energy crisis causes economic and monetary disturbance
  • Establishment of common market, the 6 original countries, grows to include 12 markets
  • Launch of Common Agricultural Policy as first integrated policy, followed by other policy areas
  • Leading role of European Commission
  • EU policy making seen as mainly technocratic, though with important strategic implications
  • Business focus on market opening issues
  • Public policy matters dealt with via traditional national consultation mechanisms
  • Main societal concern is wealth creation and redistribution
  • [We are still at university]
1980s - 2000s: the traditional lobbying era
  • Return of liberal democracy and market economy to Central & Eastern Europe and Russia
  • Spread of globalisation and market fundamentalism
  • Beginning of economic rise of China, Asia and Latin America
  • Rising global inequalities & global ecological concerns
  • New technologies and financial markets increasingly impact economic growth
  • Realisation of the EU Single Market, followed by Economic and Monetary Union
  • Enlargement to 15 Member States
  • Directly elected European Parliament and increased majority voting in Council of Ministers leading to new balance between the institutions
  • Transfer of new competences to EU with a horizontal nature affecting all business (rise of precautionary principle in health and environmental policy)
  • Rising importance of public policy and regulation on markets
  • Companies seek to deal directly with new EU and global institutions
  • Emergence of new business functions (public affairs, public communication)
  • Beginning of EPPA (1987)
  • Focus on technical issues of market regulation (regulatory affairs)
  • Close operation with European Commission and Parliament
  • Move to mediation as alternative to campaigning
2000s - 2020s: innovative lobbying
  • Emergence of multi-polar global economy and political (in)balances
  • Rapid growth of China, India, Asian countries, Brazil and other new economic powers
  • Beginning of African renaissance
  • Tension between civic liberties and security concerns
  • Danger of risk aversion limiting commercial freedom and innovation
  • Search for new government role in markets
  • Growth of Euro as international currency
  • Regulatory exports from EU to other countries
  • Strengthening of public policy making within EU
  • Enlargement to 25 and then 27 Member States and further institutional reform
  • Rising credibility & accountability problems with EU citizens
  • New attempts to improve regulatory quality
  • Beginning of integration of external management functions (public affairs & communications) into corporate strategy
  • Search of inclusive ways of managing markets and political and societal issues
  • Increasing focus on regulatory compliance in EU
  • Focus on building competitive advantage out of long term policy & socio-cultural risk analysis
  • Shift to management of intangibles
  • New operational relationship directly with Member States
  • Increased cooperation with emerging economic powers
  • Constructive engagement and compromise development as alternative to ‘spin’