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> Citizens, or groups of citizens (eg. corporations) engaging with their representatives is part of the democratic process. That's the pretty way to present it
by _jal 5y ago
> Citizens, or groups of citizens (eg. corporations) engaging with their representatives is part of the democratic process.
That's the pretty way to present it.
In practice, "Citizens, or groups of citizens" is true but unfortunately vague, sort of similar to "Mammals, or groups of mammals, are known to sometimes build buildings out of prefabricated concrete."
Lobbying is a heavily professionalized activity, mostly undertaken by specialist lawyers employed full-time for the job.
- nielsbot 5y agoOr "retired" government officials via the revolving door. This is also backdoor bribery: "help us out, you got a cushy job waiting for you in the future."
- gruez 5y ago>Lobbying is a heavily professionalized activity, mostly undertaken by specialist lawyers employed full-time for the job. So you only object to the fact that lobbying is done by specialists rather than laypersons?
- _jal 5y agoI was objecting to intentionally obfuscatory language that is frequently employed in attempts to obscure the fact that lobbying as commonly understood is an activity almost exclusively enjoyed by the well-resourced and/or powerful.
- gruez 5y ago1. it shouldn't be surprising that well-resourced and/or powerful have more resources to do any activities, be it lobbying, or going on european vacations 2. is your argument that lobbying should be banned because almost exclusively enjoyed by the well-resourced and/or powerful? I'm not sure that's a very persuasive argument. We ban speeding because it's harmful, not because the rich are well-resourced and/or powerful to afford fast cars.
- _jal 5y agoI have offered no opinion on lobbying itself in this thread. The entire content of what I want to convey here is contained in the comment you're replying to.