Lobbyists Merits and Demerits

Table of Contents

Introduction
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lobbyists and Members of Congress
Conclusion
References

Introduction

A lobbyist is an employed person receiving payments or is contracted for economic consideration, including reimbursement for logical living and commuter expenditures, to communicate explicitly with civil servants to influence administrative or legislative actions. The special interest groups addressing critical topics, including fast foods, education, the environment, low nutritional values, and the marketing of cigarettes, utilize a lobbying strategy to influence government decisions (Greenberg & Page, 2018). It is essential to discuss lobbyists merits and demerits and whether Congress members must be allowed to become lobbyists.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Lobbyists and Members of Congress

There are several pros attached to lobbyists as unique instruments for special interest groups. Firstly, lobbyists assist in reinforcing the constitutional rights of special interest groups and ensure the government does to breach them (Greenberg & Page, 2018). Secondly, they aid in raising awareness of particular issues facing special groups and provide pragmatic solutions to the challenges based on knowledge and prior problem expertise (Strickland, 2019). Lastly, lobbyists effectively present the demands and needs of special interest groups, as they are highly likely to be listened to by legislatures when addressing the voters concerns.

The lobbyists may cause more harm as they can use lobbying for the wrong reasons. They can spearhead a severe conflict of interests, thus interfering with the objectives of the special interest group. Lobbyists are costly and sometimes are ineffective in implementing their tasks, making their clients not attain their goal of policy change (Greenberg & Page, 2018). Significantly, the members of Congress should be allowed to become lobbyists. The Congress representatives have extensive knowledge and problem expertise and can effectively advocate for change in critical areas of concern as they have worked for many years in the legislature.

Conclusion

The special interest groups help highlight citizens core issues, including education, fast food, and the environment. Lobbyists are remarkable as they can help such groups regain their constitutional rights without the government disturbing them. Based on lobbyists work knowledge, they can effectively represent the demands of the special interest groups to the legislators. However, lobbyists may engender conflict of interest, charge high fees, and be ineffective in executing their assignments, making the special interest groups not achieve their goal of policy change. The representatives of Congress should be allowed to be lobbyists as they have problem expertise and knowledge to advocate issues facing societal members.