Abstract:

The participation of civil society in the European Union decision-making process has been seen as a condition for a democratic system. The civil society is in cooperation with the European institutions; it has the power of representation especially in the Economic and Social Community. However, because civil society has the consultation role in the decision-making process in the European Union institutions, it is seen that its function area is restricted. In this paper, firstly the conceptual definition of civil society, and then civil society understanding in the European Union are analyzed. In the second part, the role of civil society in the European Union decisionmaking process will be stressed; and the relations between European Commission, Economic and Social Committee and the civil society will be explained. The paper aims to analyze in what extent the civil society in the European Union participates in the decision-making process and how the civil society influences the decisions.

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