Lobbying Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lobbying - Coursework Example Lobbying saves the public from such conflict of interest existing with government officials (Nownes, 2006). Elected government officials have an obligation to serve the public (the people who elected them). However, lobbying comes in when such officials stand to benefit by twisting the law to favor the interests of a few private parties. Government officials are agents of people and, therefore, their failure to serve the public due to their conflict of interest is agent misdirection. As such, lobbying makes sure that others’ interests get appropriate defense against those of corrupt persons. Lobbyists also ensure that the interests of the minority get a fair defense against the tyranny of the majority (Morris, Goldsworthy & Palgrave, 2008). For instance, a medical association can lobby a legislature to increase restrictions in the laws that prevent smoking due to the increased number of people dying out smoking effects. The complexity of the process of legislation makes lobbyists and lobbying an essential facet to all functions of the government. Government officials and legislators do not have the time as well as the knowledge to become experts on all issues of concern to all people in order to serve their common interest. In this regard, lobbyists educate government officials on these issues, help legislators to draft legislation, and advise the president before signing a bill into a law. Therefore, lobbyists represent a vast diversity of the public interests and beliefs in the society. In some societies, lobbyists are respected as opinion leaders who tend to influence the public on which persons to vote for, during elections (Great Britain & Allen,