Civil Society Participation in European and Global Governance A Cure for the Democratic Deficit?

It is often argued that enhanced consultation of civil society may contribute to the democratization of European and global governance. This collection investigates whether this theoretical argument is supported by empirical evidence. Ten original essays analyze current patterns of civil society consultation in thirty two inter-governmental organizations and regimes, concluding that while civil society consultation has great potential, most institutional arrangements developed so far fall short of realizing its democratizing capacity.

Jens Steffek is Assistant Professor, at the Research Centre 'Transformations of the State', at the University of Bremen, Germany.  Claudia Kissling is a Research Fellow, at the Research Centre 'Transformations of the State', at the University of Bremen, Germany.  Patrizia Nanz is a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre of European Law and Politics, at the University of Bremen, Germany.