Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials, typically legislators or regulatory agencies, on behalf of a particular individual, organization, or interest group.
Anyone can engage in lobbying, including individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, and advocacy groups.
Lobbying can take various forms, including direct communication with lawmakers (such as meetings, phone calls, or emails), providing information and research to policymakers, organizing grassroots campaigns, and making campaign contributions.
Yes, lobbying is legal in most democratic countries, including the United States. However, there are regulations and disclosure requirements governing lobbying activities to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
Lobbyists are typically required to register with government agencies and disclose information about their clients, the issues they are lobbying on, and their expenditures related to lobbying activities.