AKWA, BALI

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to the same Option you chose for your Initial Post (i.e., if you chose Option 1 for your Initial Post, your Follow-Up Post should also be for Option 1). Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Minimum of 1 scholarly source which can include your textbook or assigned readings or may be from your additional scholarly research.

Option 1:

What are the pros and cons of lobbyists as a tool for special interest groups? Should former members of Congress be allowed to become lobbyists? Explain your answer.

Lobbying is a strategic activity that focus on influencing a specific agenda or policy (Coen, 2023). Lobbyists have been used as a tool to influence the masses for years. The rise of lobbying has had a tremendous influence on todays society and politics in particular. The boom of the industry has even impacted Washington DC with the increase of lobbying and private contractors setting up shop in the metropolitan location (Greenberg & Page, 2018). The growth of the industry has had a positive impact on the economy as the business generated creates jobs and stimulates the economy financially. On the other hand some have blamed the gridlock and increased traffic in the DC area directly on the lobbying and the increased population. 

I believe that Lobbying is overall a positive thing and should not be a tool that is restricted from anyone including former members of congress. Lobbying can be a good tool that helps to encourage and promote individuals from taking an active roll in their government. I believe former members of congress should be able to become lobbyists because it is in fact a first amendment right. In order for special interest groups to be able to be heard and get their message across, lobbyists can be used as one of many tools in order to achieve those goals.  I believe it is just one of many ways that we can make changes we believe to be beneficial without being in a powerful position in government to do so. 

 

References:

Greenberg, E. S., & Page, B. I. (2018). The struggle for democracy, 2018 elections and updates edition (12th ed.). Pearson Education (US).

Coen, D., Katsaitis, A., & Vannoni, M. (2023). Regulating government affairs: Integrating lobbying research and policy concerns.  Regulation & Governance.