DEMYSTIFYING THE LOBBYING PRACTICE

Lobbying as a practice attracts a very negative response that excludes the reality of how public policy evolves in democratic setting be it at national or EU level. There is a common and inaccurate perception that lobbying is unethical and damaging to heathly government.This misperception exists because lobbying attracts attention only in the light of contentious issues and not when positive outcomes are achieved. Conventional thinking often assumes that lobbying usually involves some form of questionable interaction with government, such as arm-twisting, providing gifts and favours, secret back room meetings and campaign contributions in return for expected favourable decisions. However, although this type of behaviour by lobbyists is found at the heart of many political scandals, very few lobbyists achieve their ends through corrupt means. In fact, the vast majority conduct their business by applying their knowledge of how public policy is developed and by building access to advisors and decision makers through this policy process. The stereotypical myths attributed to lobbying that it typically involves trading in backroom secrets, pursuing agendas contrary to the public interest, exploiting political contacts and dishonesty is mostly that, the stuff of myths. Most lobbyists working  are professional, honest and transparent in their dealings and respectful of public concerns. Lobbyists are in the business of persuasion, and there is nothing wrong with honest attempts at persuasion. That is an important and healthy part of the democratic process.

The truth is that lobbying is an important part of the political decision-making process. Politicians and other public servants cannot be expected to know and understand every angle of an issue, and lobbyists bring valuable information and expertise to the decision-making process. At its best, lobbying provides critical services to organizations and clients and critical client information to public office holders. Those services include acting as a strategic resource by researching regulatory or policy changes, understanding the government’s policy agenda, determining who the decision makers will be on any given matter, developing positive relationships with the media, communication planning, mobilizing grass roots, coaching and mentoring, setting up and attending meetings, outlining unintended consequences of existing and planned policies, and sustaining communication momentum.

What must be understood is that governments, parliamentarians or even the media do not function in isolation from the people at large. Nor are they custodians of all knowledge or what people need or how a country thinks. It is with inputs from citizens' groups such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), think tanks, consumer interest societies and industry chambers and associations that debate and discussion translates into policy. It is worth noting that these groups employ a lobbyist or lobby on their own. Such things don't happen in a vaccum.

Lobbying seeks to affect public policy by providing key stakeholders, notably policy makers with specific information about preferences for policy or policy positions. It may involve providing information on the costs and benefits of different issue outcomes, or more broadly attempting to set the terms of the debate and thus channel policy discussions in a favourable manner. Lobbying can challenge outcomes of decisions already made, by seeking to redefine the terms of the debate and thereby reframing undesirable outcomes, causing them to be revisited. The good provided is information. The ultimate target of lobbying input is the legislator or political decision maker. Lobbying includes a range of tactics such as 'direct' or issue-specific lobbying; reporting research and survey results; commissioning research/think tank research projects; testifying as expert witnesses and in hearings or before other government bodies; and supplying decision makers with position papers or technical reports. In addition to seeking desired policy outcomes, one goal of lobbying is to develop a strong reputation, so that decision makers are inclined to trust the information provided and turn to lobbying organisations for information when developing or discussing policy or policy position.

In Brussels some 3,000 interest groups and 300 companies are involved in public affairs and over 100 management companies work in this space, employing some 15,000 persons.

A democracy mus recognize lobbying regardless of whether it is carried out by individual citizens or companies, think tanks, governments or other groups. To realize the positive potential of this activity, there is a definite need to recognize this profession so that distinctions between fixing, preferential treatment or crony capitalism are clear.

While the onus lies on the lobbying industry, its existence has more to do with the ethos of a democracy and the belief of plurality and evolution. It is our opinion that the industry with its skills needs to develop a strategy to push forward, acquire greater visibility and be held accountable. We need to work with government, politicians and the media in reaching a balance between visibility and confidentiality. Else, what is not seen or known will always be feared and speculated about.