ABSTRACT THE NGOs AS POLICY ACTORS: THE CASE OF T&Uuml / SiAD WITH REGARD TO TURKEY&rsquo / S EU MEMBERSHIP G&Uuml / NDEM, Sebnem Master of Science, Department of European Studies Supervisor: Associate Prof. Dr. ihsan Dagi January 2004, 130 pages This study explores the effectiveness of NGOs within the policy process and governments&rsquo / decisions based on the case of T&Uuml / SiAD&rsquo / s activities with regard to Turkey&rsquo / s full membership process in the European Union. It firstly explains the process by which NGOs&rsquo / have become &ldquo / actors&rdquo / in world politics. The thesis, then, scrutinizes the role of NGOs in the policy process with regard to pluralist and corporatist paradigms and the concept of power since policy process can not be well understood without this theoretical background. After examining the roles of NGOs, especially the lobbying one, the importance of NGOs and strength of civil society for Turkey&rsquo / s integration to the European