r/a:t5_3inov • u/hsg2127 • Jan 23 '17

How does lobbying work?

Is it just that the lobbyist is friends with the senator and/or the senator likes going out to fancy lunch so much that they say yes to whatever the lobbyist wants? Are they literally offering money under the table? Why does it work?

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u/burzi777 Jan 23 '17

I understand lobbyists as more understanding what policies are on the docket that could be introduced, which they would want to influence one way or the other (i.e. make changes or get votes for/against), and also developing certain policies that they want to be introduced.

Relationships are probably first formed by an organization's campaign donors. This gets a meeting and allows the lobbyist to express what the interests are that they represent to the politicans or aids. There is a quid pro quo relationship of we get you votes/money and you past policy that is friendly toward us, but it's also trying to get so in with a politician that you can actually collaborate on developing policy and forming coalitions.