IN THE DEFENSE OF LOBBYING

Despite the popular association of lobbyists with corruption, it would be very difficult for government officials to conduct the public's business without lobbyists. Lobbyists serve an invaluable function in democratic governance. They provide useful information and expertise to government officials on any given matter. They represent interests that may be adversely and unintentionally impacted by a poor deliberated public policy. And they translate into understandable terms everything from scientific data to public opinions. Just as importantly, lobbyists inform their employers and clients of the actions of government officials, helping hold the government accountable and assisting to effectuate compliance with the laws.

Lobbying activity is a bridge between private interests and public conduct. Unlike all other business or professional activity, the exclusive purpose of lobbying is to affect public decisions of government. Money spent on lobbying can be viewed as an opportunity or educational expenditure. Money spent to introduce a given company or business sector to government officials and to teach these officials of the particular situation of the given company or business sector and the costs/benefits of a particular public policy or government contract is NOT corruption. Lobbying activity moves into the category of corrupt practices when something of value to the government official is exchanged for official favours. The most blatant form of corruption is the outright bribe, which is illegal.

The profession of lobbying today is at a crossroads when it comes to supporting or undermining political legitimacy. While lobbying continues to be a necessary part of democratic governance, communicating the concerns of the governed, the lobbying profession in many democratic societies has become closely identified with wealthy special interests with the consequence that public's trust in government in general, and the lobbyists in particular, has fallen to dangerous lows. But let's set the record straight:

While no one doubt that money matters in lobbying and there is no question that the wealthy enjoy greater access to policy makers and political leaders than other groups in society, this does not mean that they get the policies they want when they want. The reason why it is not so is that the policy process is hard to control. Very few government officials have the authority unilaterally to produce the policy changes that lobbyists might desire. Engaging in a lobbying initiative is inherently uncertain.

The impact of resources alone, without considering the issues on which groups are working, who else is active on those issues and the construction of like-minded coalitions in the ssue is limited. If the well-endowed only work with similar groups, they might win. But if a perspective were to consist only of such organizations, it might well raise the eyebrows of others monitoring politics, or the concerns of equally wealthy groups from a rival industry, so it it is not certain even when the wealthy get together that they will prevail.

In conclusion, the groups with the most lobbyists and money don't necessarily win. Any issue that unites business groups is likely to unite environmentalists, consumers and labour officials in opposition. Wealth and resources can make a difference, but only if the balance of resources is heavily skewed toward one side. Undeniably lobbyists and the companies that hire them should try to find common ground with groups that represent the 'public good' yet don't have a strong voice. Many companies already do this. As governments struggle with growing needs for services as well as large budget deficits, companies will be expected to play an even greater role in addressing society's problems.