1st Edition
The European Perspective Transnational Party Groups in the 1989-94 European Parliament
First published in 1997, this volume provides a data-rich analysis of the party groups in the European Parliament. Their internal organisation, cohesion and coalition behaviour are examined. The main argument is that their internal organisation is a crucial factor in explaining the behaviour of EP party groups. Roll-call analysis is used to measure group cohesion and coalition behaviour. The concept of representation in the transnational EP is studied by a content analysis of members’ written questions. The concluding section sets the work into a broader context by discussing the future of Europarties.
1. European Parliament and the Governance of the European Union. 2. The Framework for Analysis: Legislative Organisation and Preference Formation. 3. The Ascendancy of Political Groups in Strasbourg. 4. Aggregating Interests Within and Between Party Groups in the European Parliament: MEP Voting Behaviour, 1989-1994. 5. Informing and Controlling the Executive at the European Level: Questions in the European Parliament. 6. Concluding Discussion: Future Problems and Prospects of Europarties.
Biography
Tapio Raunio
’...the study provides some new insights transnational party groups...the research taken thorough and creditable...theoretically strong...the book achieves its academic aims providing some new and important findings.’ Political Studies ’...this is probably the most sophisticated study of internal behaviour in the EP to date...this book raises the standard for research on this fascinating and increasingly powerful institution.’ West European Politics ’...one of its strengths is its findings...a highly commendable and innovative study of the European Parliament likely to be of most interest to other scholars of legislative behaviour.’ Journal of Legislative Studies ’...six chapters, the first describes the role of the European parliament and Euro parties in the EU government...legislative structures and the formation of preferences...formation of political groups in the European Parliament...Behaviour of party groups in the European parliament ...Analysis of the activity of questioning...conclusions and prospects...drawing the readers attention to the rise of party groups and their transnational activity.’ The International Spectator
