Lobbying
Lobbying involves persuasion of the members of the government to pass specific legislation or withdraw support for a certain bill. Lobbying is legitimate, and lobbyists are professionals with the right to be paid just like any other professional, for the services offered. In most cases, interested groups lack the connections needed to reach government officials in a bid to pass their concerns on the legislation being proposed. With the fact that most lobbyists are former government officials, interested groups have a higher chance of getting the political connections needed through the experienced lobbyists. The experience gained while working for the government gives lobbyists an upper hand on matters to do with political persuasions.
Reformers have tried to champion for restrictions on the ability of interest groups to employ lobbyists. Some reformists argue that the services offered by lobbyists are only aimed at corrupting the political structure. A further argument is that lobbyists give an additional advantage to interested groups in persuading government officials to make legislation that is favorable to the said groups. Reformists have argued that the amount of money only motivates the operation of lobbyists that an interested group is willing to give and not the sense in need for persuasion on the government official.
Interest groups have different opinions concerning the proposed regulations by reformist. First, lobbying is legitimate, and the rules that need to be used are already spelled in the constitution. Interested groups feel that it is unconstitutional for the reformists to seek the violation of the rights of the lobbyists and individuals spelled out in the law statutes. The limits proposed are only based on opinions and not facts and thus going by them would be unconstitutional.
References
Hanegraaff, M., Beyers, J. A., & De Bruycker, I. (2016). Balancing inside and outside lobbying: The political strategies of lobbyists at global diplomatic conferences. European Journal of Political Research, 55(3), 568-588.