Cross-Pressure and Political Representation in Europe
Cross-pressure and political representation in Europe A comparative study of MEPs and the intra-party arena Statsvetenskapliga institutionen Umeå universitet Statsvetenskapliga institutionens skriftserie, 2003:5 ISSN 0349-0831 ISBN 91-7305-493-3 © Magnus Blomgren Tryck: Print & Media, Umeå universitet, 2003: II Cross-pressure and political representation in Europe A comparative study of MEPs and the intra-party arena Magnus Blomgren Department of Political Science Umeå university III Cross-pressure and political representation in Europe: A comparative study of MEPs and the intra-party arena. Magnus Blomgren, Department of Political Science, Umeå university, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden ISBN 91-7305-493-3 ISSN 0349-0831 Research report 2003:5 Distribution: Department of Political Science, Umeå university, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden ABSTRACT This dissertation explores political representation and its manifestation within the European Union (EU). The main purpose is to examine the representative roles of Members of the European Parliament (MEP) in the context of cross–pressure between the national level and the EU level. This involves an analysis of how the MEPs under- stand their roles, how they organize their work, and how they have voted in the European Parliament (EP) in 1999-2002. It also includes a study of how national party organizations adapt to the EU environment and how this influences the MEPs link to the national arena. The study is based on various sources, such as interviews, formal documents and voting data. The most under-researched part of the cross-pressure has been the national link and the empirical focus of the thesis is on that link.
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