Parliaments and Lobbyists
Parliament and Lobbyists
Introduction
Attempts to influence Government by individuals, organizations, political parties, leaders, social campaigners and other interest groups take place in every country by various means, such as approaching the elected representatives, lobbying, petitions, legal remedies, public protests, campaigning, etc. In a democracy people have the right to convey their grievances and express their views and seek changes in policy or entail other necessary response from the government. People in democracies the world over have therefore, sought to make their voices heard in the corridors of power. Interested people and concerned groups thus adopt various methods to draw the attention of the Government towards issues that affect them and get decisions made in their favour.
In a democracy, there is a process of constant communication between the Government and the people. Elected representatives play a key role in channelizing the communication to address the grievances of their electorates. Lobbying in one form or the other has become an established precedent and practice in democratic countries. Therefore, lobbying by the members of Parliament to promote people’s welfare and address issues like environmental protection, health, development etc., is increasingly assuming more significance in today’s world.
People individually or in groups attempt to achieve their goals by lobbying - that is, by attempting to bring pressure to bear on policy makers and gain policy outcomes in their favour. In order to accomplish their goals, interest groups develop a strategy or plan of action and execute it through specific tactics. The particular strategies developed and the specific tactics used, however, vary widely both among and within the political systems. Business organizations, social activists, non-governmental organisations, etc. usually engage in lobbying to ensure the sympathetic enactment and enforcement of legislation.
Lobbying in the
Introduction
Attempts to influence Government by individuals, organizations, political parties, leaders, social campaigners and other interest groups take place in every country by various means, such as approaching the elected representatives, lobbying, petitions, legal remedies, public protests, campaigning, etc. In a democracy people have the right to convey their grievances and express their views and seek changes in policy or entail other necessary response from the government. People in democracies the world over have therefore, sought to make their voices heard in the corridors of power. Interested people and concerned groups thus adopt various methods to draw the attention of the Government towards issues that affect them and get decisions made in their favour.
In a democracy, there is a process of constant communication between the Government and the people. Elected representatives play a key role in channelizing the communication to address the grievances of their electorates. Lobbying in one form or the other has become an established precedent and practice in democratic countries. Therefore, lobbying by the members of Parliament to promote people’s welfare and address issues like environmental protection, health, development etc., is increasingly assuming more significance in today’s world.
People individually or in groups attempt to achieve their goals by lobbying - that is, by attempting to bring pressure to bear on policy makers and gain policy outcomes in their favour. In order to accomplish their goals, interest groups develop a strategy or plan of action and execute it through specific tactics. The particular strategies developed and the specific tactics used, however, vary widely both among and within the political systems. Business organizations, social activists, non-governmental organisations, etc. usually engage in lobbying to ensure the sympathetic enactment and enforcement of legislation.
Lobbying in the