1. Introduction -- 2. The autonomy of national and transnational bureaucracies -- 3. Surveying top European bureaucrats -- 4. Autonomy at the top of the European bureaucracy -- 5. Political attempts to alter bureaucratic behavior -- 6. Cultural impediments to political control -- 7. Custodians of 'Europe' -- 8. Bureaucratic attitudes toward controversial policies -- 9. Conclusion -- Appendix A: Distribution of sample by Directorate-General or service -- Appendix B: Contact of European bureaucrats with the European Parliament