The new Eurocrats : national civil servants in EU policy-making

Policies in the EU are largely made by national civil servants who prepare and implement decisions in Brussels as well as at home. Despite their important role, these national civil servants form a relatively hidden world that has received little attention from both the media and academics. This volume considers a wide variety of sources and research methods to answer such questions as: how many civil servants are actually involved in EU-related activities? What do these civil servants do when they engage with the EU? And how do they negotiate their dual roles? __The New Eurocrats__ offers unique and invaluable insight into these civil servants and their working practices - and uncovers some secrets in the world of EU governance along the way. "Policies in the European Union are largely made by national civil servants who prepare, take and implement decisions in Brussels as well as at home. Despite the important role of national civil servants in EU governance, they form a 'hidden world' that has received little attention from both the media and academics." "This book addresses a range of questions that are pertinent to this hidden world, focusing on one EU member state, the Netherlands. How many civil servants are actually involved in EU-related activities? What do these civil servants do when they engage with the EU? And how do they negotiate their dual roles as national civil servants and participants in European networks?" "These questions are answered through a wide variety of sources and research methods: a large-scale survey among Dutch civil servants, interviews with civil servants who participate in EU policy processes, and observations of meetings both in Brussels and in The Hague. In addition, special attention is given to national experts who are seconded to the European Commission by their government." "This book thereby offers a unique and invaluable insight into the activities of national civil servants in the EU, and uncovers some of the secrets of this hidden world of EU governance."--Jacket

Offers unique and invaluable insights into the activities of national civil servants' working practices in the EU and into some of the secrets of this somewhat hidden world of EU governance