LOBBYING: BUSINESS, LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY - WHY AND HOW 12,000 PEOPLE SPEND $3+ BILLION IMPACTING OUR GOVERNMENT

By Mark Fagan Lobbying: Business, Law and Public Policy, Why and How 12,000 People Spend $3+ Billion Impacting Our Government provides students, practitioners and engaged citizens with an understanding of this highly charged aspect of American democracy. Mention the words "lobbying" and "lobbyist" to a friend or colleague and you will likely get a strong response. Some people view lobbying as nothing more than the practice of buying influence, power and legislation. To others, lobbying plays a vital part of our policymaking process, enabling us to exercise one of our most treasured constitutional rights -- the right to petition the government. In reality, both positions have merit and that is what makes lobbying such an interesting practice. Lobbying is a multibillion-dollar industry that impacts all aspects of public policy at the highest level of government. At the same time, it is also the avenue by which average citizens meet with their government representative to request action.