Lobbying just means a group of people (be it individuals or coorporation) advocate for their interest to elected officials.
A cycling group advocating for more bikepaths is lobbying. But an oil firm advocating against more bikepaths is also lobbying. Both of these groups are just arguing their interests to government in order to push for their desired outcome.
It is then up to the politician to weigh the merrits of the arguments and pick which one they believe is best (for their re-election chances)
Lobbying is a neutral term. You may not like what a specific group is lobbying for, but the existance of lobbying is an essential part of the democratic system. The elected officials need to know the concerns of the people they represent
The issue isn’t lobbying, but rather when the lobbying is done in a corrupt way. Bribing or blackmailing politicians is corrupt, and generally undesirable for good governance.
When you introduce corruption to lobbying, the politician no longer only considers what he believes to be the best outcome (which will get him reelected), but his own personal financial gains become a factor.
What us the difference between lobbying and corruption?
Lobbying doesn’t have to be corrupt
Lobbying just means a group of people (be it individuals or coorporation) advocate for their interest to elected officials.
A cycling group advocating for more bikepaths is lobbying. But an oil firm advocating against more bikepaths is also lobbying. Both of these groups are just arguing their interests to government in order to push for their desired outcome.
It is then up to the politician to weigh the merrits of the arguments and pick which one they believe is best (for their re-election chances)
Lobbying is a neutral term. You may not like what a specific group is lobbying for, but the existance of lobbying is an essential part of the democratic system. The elected officials need to know the concerns of the people they represent
The issue isn’t lobbying, but rather when the lobbying is done in a corrupt way. Bribing or blackmailing politicians is corrupt, and generally undesirable for good governance.
When you introduce corruption to lobbying, the politician no longer only considers what he believes to be the best outcome (which will get him reelected), but his own personal financial gains become a factor.