Definition of Lobby (policy)

The word lobby is an Anglicism that is used normally in our language. The term lobby can be translated as pressure group and refers to those groups that try to influence political representatives.

The members of the national sovereignty hold the executive power and legislative and, therefore, they are the ones who are entitled to propose laws and apply them. In parallel, there are entities and organizations who have economic power and try to influence the class politics for the benefit of your economic or strategic interests. In this sense, in the media communication there is usually talk of the pharmaceutical, industrial, arms or hotel lobby, among many other sectors.

The concept of lobbying became popular in Britain and the United States in the 19th century, when large corporations began to pressure the representatives of the people so that the laws were in line with their interests.

Lobbies under permanent suspicion

The role of the lobby is not, in principle, an activity contrary to the

law. In fact, a lobbyist is dedicated to defending and representing a sector and for this it is logical that report to politicians about their aspirations. However, in the relationship between a lobby and political representatives there is a conflictive aspect: the policy is oriented to the general interest of the population and a lobby represents particular interests.

This opposition of interests is suspicious and at the same time incorporates the germ of corruption. This circumstance has created a controversy regarding the role of lobbies and their legitimacy to establish links with politics.

Revolving doors

The expression "revolving doors" has become fashionable in recent years in Spain and has a direct relationship with lobbies (revolving door is a carbon copy of English, specifically the expression revolving door). To better understand the "revolving door" mechanism, it is enlightening to turn to an example.

Let's imagine a politician who during his parliamentary stage has promoted a health law that benefits the sector pharmacist and at the end of his stage as a parliamentarian, said politician is signed by a multinational pharmaceutical. This procedure is very conspicuous and suspicious and, consequently, it is considered as a covert corruption. The expression "revolving door" expresses very well the perversion of this type of practice, since you enter through the door of politics and, after a turn, you exit through the door of the company.

Photos: iStock - marchia / Artfoliophoto

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