... understand the inputs which go into the decision making process. This is crucial not only for political scientists but for all those seeking to influence and participate in decision making. It is true that there has still not been the decisive transfer of identity and power towards the Community which was hoped for and the actors are still the nation states. Also, the political spillover brought about by European interest groups has so far not kept pace with the economic spillover of integration. Nevertheless, over time more and more crucial decisions are being taken at the Community level, with far reaching implications both for citizens in the Community. The decisions which are taken are not imposed secretively by the bureaucracy in Brussels. The framework results in a very slow process of decision making-on average around three years before proposals are turned into law. Thus there are considerable opportunities for influencing policy ...

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