Internet Policies and Activism in Europe

Perspectives and Strategies in EU-Realpolitik

Brussels is the center of European bureaucracy. As well as the center of lobbying. Not just big corporations, but also special interest groups and NGOs are trying to influence political processes. There is campaigning for progressive internet policies as well as for more transparency and openness – e.g. in the fields of science, copyright or “open data”. From time to time there are success stories, but generally corporate lobbyists exert way more influence on politicians than representatives of NGOs and citizens´ groups, resulting in pro business legislation most of the time. So which strategies make sense for affecting positive change? And what´s really going on in Brussels?