Thanks to new transparency rules and increased efforts by scholars, researchers are better equipped than ever before to analyze the decision-making processes of the Council of the European Union and to test old wisdoms. This book covers the most contentious areas and important debates in current research. 'Highly interesting from start to finish.' - European Library 'The volume's excellent choice of contributions and its comprehensive and encouraging insights raise the bar in Council studies several notches.' - Tim Veen, University of Nottingham, Political Studies Review DANIEL NAURIN is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Gothenburg University, Sweden. He is the author or Deliberation behind Closed Doors: Transparency and Lobbying in the European Union .   HELEN WALLACE is Centennial Professor in the European Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. She is the author of numerous books and articles on European Union politics, including The Council of Ministers (with Fiona Hayes-Renshaw).