Written by Fatou Lo
Edited by Eliza Dorton and Annika Lilja
In the intricate web of government policy-making, one force consistently exerts a formidable influence: lobbying. Unbeknownst to most Americans, the very tactic that is swept under the rug time and time again is what truly propels legislative agendas. The mechanisms, individuals involved, and its significant impact on the democratic process in the U.S. places lobbying at the core of governmental policy.
“Lobbying” can be defined as seeking to influence politicians on a particular issue. This influence can be exerted at the federal, state, county, or even municipal and local levels of government. Lobbyists usually target congressional representatives because of the transactional relationship between the two groups; lobbyists want action on bills and legislators want to be reelected. Lobbyists act as the puppet masters to legislators by placing emphasis on salient concerns and doing everything in their power to propel legislative officials to pass policy in accordance with their agenda (Chausow).
The various avenues of lobbying are numerous. For example, a lobbyist could try to influence policymakers from within their own organizations, through consultations, face-to-face conferences, and written communication. These methods of lobbying can be subdivided into “Direct lobbying” and “Grassroots lobbying. Direct lobbying is concerned with a direct line of communication with policymakers. This type of lobbying aims to comment on specific pieces of legislation, specifically, legislation that has already been introduced in a legislative body as well as a legislative proposal that may not have been introduced. Direct lobbying is ubiquitous throughout American history, most notably with Samuel Colt. Samuel Colt was not only an inventor but also a skilled businessman who used lobbying to his advantage. He lobbied the U.S. government to secure military contracts for his firearms, which significantly boosted his business and helped popularize the Colt revolver. His efforts in lobbying were crucial in establishing his company as a major player in the firearms industry (Who Made America).
Conversely, grassroots lobbying is concerned with the public's perspective on legislation. Grassroots lobbyists often shift their attention to the public in attempts to indirectly influence executive officials and representatives due to public pressure. One of the most notable examples of this is the infamous website “Change.org.” Through this site, petitions signed by individuals are presented to Congress to apply pressure and “wake up” elected officials to reflect the will of their constituents (Duke Health).
The conventional definition of a lobbyist is, “one who receives monetary compensation for the purpose of lobbying” (National Conference of State Legislatures), but this definition does not include the network of individuals and associations that are impacted by lobbying. The “interest group” a lobbyist is a part of plays a profound impact on which congressional representatives they lobby and most importantly, what sphere they attempt to exert influence on. An interest group is defined as a group of people who seek to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest of concern (USHistory.org). Although lobbying can be effective in exerting political influence, there have been some concerns over the transparency of it. This is due to the potential for corruption. The close relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers can sometimes lead to unethical behavior or corruption, where decisions are made for personal gain rather than the public good. For example, a legislator could be more inclined to be influenced by a specific lobbyist because of their belonging to a particular interest group that funds their campaign (Chausow).
In conclusion, lobbying is a significant force in the realm of government policy. While it can drive positive change by allowing individuals to impact policy-making, it also raises concerns about transparency and representation. By staying informed and engaged, we can ensure that lobbying serves the public interest and upholds the principles of democracy.
Sources:
Chausow, Lara. “It’s Not Just Who You Know: The Failure of Lobbying Reform | Institution for Social and Policy Studies.” Isps.yale.edu, isps.yale.edu/news/blog/2014/03/its-not-just-who-you-know-the-failure-of-lobbying-reform.
Duke Health. “Lobbying Definitions, Exceptions, and Examples | Duke Government Relations.” Govrelations.duke.edu, govrelations.duke.edu/ethics-and-compliance/lobbying-definitions-exceptions-and-examples. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.
USHistory.org. “Interest Groups .” Ushistory.org, 2019, www.ushistory.org/gov/5c.asp.
National Conference of State Legislatures. “How States Define Lobbying and Lobbyist.” 3 Sept. 2021, www.ncsl.org/ethics/how-states-define-lobbying-and-lobbyist.
“Who Made America? | Innovators | Samuel Colt.” Pbs.org, 2022, www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/colt_hi.html. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.
Open Secrets. “Super PACs.” OpenSecrets, www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/super-pacs/2022. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.
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