Public Affairs and Lobbying: Tools for the Rich and Powerful?

This essay delves into the intricate relationship between public affairs and lobbying, exploring how these tools are utilized within the framework of political systems, particularly in the UK. It examines the definitions and impacts of public affairs and lobbying on decision-making, highlighting the perspectives of various scholars and the influence of powerful entities. The essay investigates the methods of lobbying, including direct and indirect approaches, and analyzes the regulations and debates surrounding lobbying practices in the UK, including the roles of lobbyists, the role of government and the impact of lobbying on transparency and corruption. It considers the question of whether lobbying is well-regulated or out of control, and discusses the implications of lobbying for democratic processes and social equity, with a focus on whether the rich and powerful are always able to get their way.

Public Affairs and Lobbying
are tools that ensure the rich
and powerful always get their
way

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
For any company which is operating within economy it would be very much necessary
that they are been maintaining their relationship with customers, public and government as well.
This public relation would be enable them to manage all their information in respect to
individuals, organisation and with public. Whereas on the other hand lobbying is that activity
which is taken by organisation or industries so that they could be able to persuade government or
higher authority who is generally in power within country which will be getting them advantage
over organisation. The present essay will be based on whether the rich and powerful in society
always manage to get their way with the help of public affair and lobbying. In all the economies
of the world there are many lobbyists who influence majority of decision making of party in rule
or government.
MAIN BODY
Meaning of public affairs and lobbying:
According to Edwards and Hodges, (2011) it was argued that all the politics and decision
making of government will majorly be depending upon framework of that government only
which is said to be the classical pluralism theory. But in recent times it was also seen that various
non governmental bodies are influencing government and its decision making which is generally
favouring them only. So the main and central question arises that how would be both power and
political process is been distributed between these influential parities of society. Although
majority of the economies of world is having democracy as there but then also the rich and
powerful people are having persuasion power with them. As it is said by Heath, (2010) that these
people of society will be trying to get their interest from the decision making of government
bodies. There also arise the situation of conflict of interest as there are many people who would
like to influence government or person who are in authority. Majorly the party which is in power
within country or the elected person is getting the support of these rich people within society so
they in tern give their support to them mainly that with financial aid.
In the current time and as per Luoma-Aho, (2009) it is said that word power is been
derived and getting its meaning from various sources which could be defined to as money,
prestige in society, authority, skill, knowledge, legitimacy and experience. While public affair is
that act which engage a person or organisation in to building up of relationship with politicians
1

and governmental body. In big and most profitable companies of world there is a special job
profile or post which is meant by one Public relation only whose work is to maintain and built up
relationship with governmental body, media communication and corporate and social
responsibility. Yang and Ott, (2016) also included that they are meant to build up strong
reputation of organisation in market and media and to find common grounds with all
stakeholders.
Impact of lobbying and public affairs on decision making:
This topic of lobbying within the influence of government bodies are very much heated
and trending one as all the rich and powerful entrepreneur of community are engaged in activity
of increasing their relationship with local or central authorities. As Golding, (2018) mentioned
that lobbying is that activity of business which is persuading a legislation and government
spending plan or project which will in tern be achieving and resulting more favourable
objectives. Form the history of UK lobbying is very formal and playing significant role into
decision making process of government. But at the starting point when this activity came into
existence it was only a normal member of public advising Member of Parliament and now it is
emerging as the activity which is been followed by corporate personality. The most common
used terminology within this framework or the sector are Public relationship (PR), lobbying,
public affairs, political consultancy or corporate affairs.
Jones, (2015) included that in year 2007 the professional lobbying industry in UK was
having a worth of about £1.9 million and giving employment to about 14000 people. Their work
which mainly includes approaching MP who are there and then giving them suggestions about
working. It is always argued that whether lobbying is good or bad for any economy. In this view
many of scholars said that lobbying is very good activity which is followed by many
industrialists and entrepreneur. As Gostin and Wiley, (2016) mentioned that if lobbying is been
carried out in a country then government would be knowing what is the actual problems which
public is facing and they would also having relevant data. They said that lobbying is very
important activity which will be helping country and government to get in shape and then form
decision which is in favour of public of society.
On the other hand Lamer, (2018) said that lobbying is not a good activity which is setting
wrong example for future industries which are emerging in economy. They were of the view that
2

this act of lobbying is deeply corrupting political system within a country. As the organisations
are working for these types of rich people of society and making only them profitable and on
same hand big organisation is also been benefited by means of moulded law and order of
country. This is highly regulating that government and financial sector rather than taking up in
the interest of citizens on nation. This act is mainly dominated by the commercial lobbying and
rich firms which are gathering and collecting all kinds of money from public and government
helping them in this act. In 2010 that time Prime Minister of UK David Cameron said that this
activity of lobbying is regarded to as biggest political scandal in country. He also mentioned that
only expenses which is increasing year to year of country is not the alone issuer which country is
facing and if they are thinking that dealing with this would be helping them to get rid off political
problems would be wrong. The light of transparency in lobbying is all about buying the power
and influence within country as listening to normal and common people is just been vanished
away.
It was also mentioned that government should be keeping track of who and to what extent
is influencing politicians of a country so that this problem could be tackled. But this mean that
government itself who could be beneficial from these big firm could be telling about who is the
lobbyist which would be next to impossible for any government. In this respect there is variety of
range of actors who are been involved in lobbying so making a register and then including all of
them is not an easy task. Corruption is been deeply rooted just because of this act of lobbying
within political process of any country which is making it professional or not. As lobbying and
public affairs is often regarded to as tool that ensure that rich and powerful is always getting
their way out as said by Bowman, (2017).
3

Illustration 1: Lobbying and lobbyist
[Source: Bowman, 2017]
The job of lobbyist is generally regarded as legal if they are forming a middle path
between both politicians and person who is known as special interest. But this is said to have
been main influencer in part of decision making of government which they use it for their own
benefits only. From the Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer of 2013 it was
said that about 90% of the people who were included in this survey believed that government of
UK is been working on certain big industries of country only. Which is not reflected as Britain is
not be considered as high corrupted countries of world and having 81 from the scale of 100
which means that it is highly clean nation as according to Corruption Perceptions Index. Morris
and Goldsworthy, (2015) mentioned that in recent years UK is getting very much corrupted
because of this lobbying and public affairs effecting political system of country. Many types of
scandals which are related to lobbying and public relation have been exposed in UK and this is
also raising some concern as well. Which are like that of expenses of parliament, buying of the
power and policy decision, party funding and oversights regime as well.
Pollitt and Bouckaert, (2017) mentioned that all the decision which government thus are
taking would be including and assisting to those who are funding them and interest of public or
citizen would be secondary part only. Thus, these type of people are taking the undue advantage
of their power and money by buying politicians who are in authority. Public affairs and lobbying
is major part of all the nations that are operating within world and this is meant to be a million
dollar business.
Regulations of Lobbying in UK:
4

The practice of lobbying has been considered as essential feature of democratic politics.
There are some important laws and legislations have been developed by the government in order
to reduce impact of lobbyist in UK. Further, the federal regulation of lobbying act 1946, is
considered as statute which has been formulated by the parliament with an aim to provide
information to the members of parties about the people and professional who used to lobby them.
Another important regulation is lobbying disclosure act 1995 which is also developed by
parliament with the purpose of bringing the level of responsibility to the federal of the lobbying
practices in the UK (How Businesses Do Lobby For Political Influence. 2018). Moreover, UK
had also formulated and a law or lobbying registration in 2014 that requires person or lobbyists
who annual business turnover will reach to specific amount, will have to provide business
information. Further, information which is provided by him will be kept in public register.
Within information, person also needs to specify the information about his clients. The act also
states that consultant lobbyist can deemed to carry out business if in the course of business and
also in return of payment. Further, the person who is registered under the VAT act 1994 and not
under the exceptions of part 1 of the schedule 1 which applies the lobbying.
Methods of Lobbying:
Basically there are two different methods which are used form lobbying by the politicians
in UK such as direct and indirect methods of lobbying. Direct lobbying came in to consideration
when the member of interest party or group provides information directly to the authorities of
government in order to make efforts to get the other member to act in the way that in party of
interest prefers. For example: if the lobbyist is hired by the party of agriculture interest will
organise a meeting along with the senator from the low or with the employees of senator in order
to influence them for providing support to farm subsidy.
Another method of lobbying is identified as indirect that usually arise when the members
of interest group will interact with the people who are relatives or friends of MPs and people
who are responsible for making laws (How Businesses Do Lobby For Political Influence. 2018).
For example: If there is a law of gun control have been proposed and other NRA influence or
promote their members as well as other individuals within community to influence their party
people for not supporting the bill in parliament.
Lobbying in UK- Well regulated or Out of Control:
5

Zingales, (2017) included that this practice is known to be very important feature of the
democratic parties within UK. In fact in the Palace of Westminster there is central lobby which is
meant for meeting of constituents with their Member of Parliament. It was meant that every
citizen of any country is having right to have a say in policy making of their nation so that they
are not left unheard in any kind of elections. As the politicians are always dependent on them for
gathering information and data till the ground level. This ground level information would only be
possible if citizens of nation are giving their views and suggestions which will be assisting them
in policy making process. But from the time is evolving and things are changing this right of all
citizens of nation is only limited to those who are having power, money and strong connections
with politicians as well. Which is now limiting the source of ground level information as said by
McChesney, (2015) although there are certain positive effects that are stated above.
It is very clear that the rights of public is been abused and misrepresented in widespread
concern of organisation and that of whole nation. All the dealings of rich and powerful people
with that of government or policy makers is said to be in secret task or generally unaccountable.
Many of the politicians said that this business of lobbying and public affairs is meant to very
important part of UK's political part or policy making process.
Transparency International UK (TI-UK):
This organisation is worlds leading non governmental and anti corruption organisation
which is having extensive global expertise and understanding corruption as well. This is very
serious problem of many of the democracy of world which is emerging as corrupting the whole
country and its systems. So this type of organisations that help government in aiding and fighting
with corruptions in particular country is resourceful. This is will be helping to regain and rebuild
public interest and their confidence within political system of nations. Zandvliet and Anderson,
(2017) said that at the present times UK is facing problems which are taking form of crisis of
trust in both politicians and their parties. This organisation is also engaged in conducting survey
on public about what are their views on this corruption and lobbying. According to the latest
survey it was found that about 59% of whole population of UK agree with term that their
government is either partially or entirely run by rich and powerful people or industrialists only.
There was also 55-67% of people who were thinking that their government or parliament is
corrupt wholly or partially (Lifting The Lid On Lobbying. 2018).
6

Illustration 2: Ranking of lobbying
[Source: Lifting The Lid On Lobbying. 2018]
It was said by Cornelissen and Cornelissen, (2017) that this lobbying or public affairs are
not only part or working of private players of market but non governmental or even
governmental agencies are been involved. In the above ranking of various governmental
agencies of UK it was said that House of Commons is the weakest in terms of legislative
transparency and integrity in UK. While on the other hand UK Ministers are the strongest in this
legislative transparency in the country. In the year 2014 it was came out to be as scandal of
democratic parties that on regular basis money was exchanged till the extent for accessing policy
making committees of UK. Public affairs are also in terms with media relations and coalition
building which is governed in specifying only public interest. Like if any government wants to
pass any law and legislation in sake of public then taking views of public in this term becomes
quite important so they do this with help of their connections of media. The role of media and
digital communication in framing rules and regulations of any country could be clearly seen and
identified at time of elections which are taking place whether on national or local level. They are
meant to be known as public relation professional who are working as media members outside
the building so that they could easily create understanding of public support for any public
policy. However, Theaker and Yaxley, (2017) included that work of lobbyists are different from
that of a PR as they are engaged within the policy making and working inside any state capital of
UK. This is also regarded to as difference between both lobbying and public affairs.
7

Key trends in government relations and public affairs:
As it is already mentioned that lobbying and public affairs are very much important part
of government functioning but this on same hand is in requirement of strong and transparent
regulations. At present times public affairs is having multi faceted function which will be helping
them all to coordinate their activities in achieving political success. In this trend social media is
also playing important role in engaging both public and politicians into effective working of
government and overall country as well. Davidson, (2017) included that the lobbying firms
which are active within society in regulating with social media channels and also engage in
research functions. Both lobbyist and PR are meant to work together so that public is been
recognising policy changes and then identifying the improvement within the systems of country.
Zingales, (2017) said that they are been involved in many types of data collecting and
sorting techniques which is highly confidential one. So all PRs should now be very active in data
privacy and advocacy techniques which will be securing most important data and information
about politics and public within framework of legacy and professional limits only.
CONCLUSION
So the public affairs, public relations and lobbying although said to be very much
important in all departments as these would be enabling government with effective decision
making process. But the same hand issues relating to them are increasing and there is need of
very strong law or regulations which would be keeping watch on both lobbyists and politicians
who are getting involved. Eliminating process of public affairs or that of lobbying would not be
correct or efficient decision which any government could take rather they must be getting
involved in more transparency method of lobbying. This will be helping in regulating UK and its
government. The system of UK is very much complex and open at the same time so it is
necessary that they are taking measurable steps in brining transparency within institutions. This
is also recommended that regulations must be going further than the current practice which will
be requiring more restrictions on political financing.
8

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Bowman, S., 2017. The knowledge, skills and competencies for effective public affairs practice:
a UK study (Doctoral dissertation, University of West London).
Cornelissen, J. and Cornelissen, J.P., 2017. Corporate communication: A guide to theory and
practice. Sage.
Davidson, S., 2017. Public affairs practice and lobbying inequality: Reform and regulation of the
influence game. Journal of Public Affairs. 17(4).
Edwards, L. and Hodges, C.E. eds., 2011. Public relations, society & culture: Theoretical and
empirical explorations. Taylor & Francis.
Golding, P., 2018. New Technologies, Old Questions: The Enduring Issues of Communications
Research. Javnost-The Public, pp.1-8.
Gostin, L.O. and Wiley, L.F., 2016. Public health law: power, duty, restraint. Univ of California
Press.
Heath, R.L. ed., 2010. The SAGE handbook of public relations. Sage.
Jones, O., 2015. The Establishment: And how they get away with it. Melville House.
Lamer, W., 2018. Non-state Actors and the Promotion of Press Freedom. In Press Freedom as
an International Human Right(pp. 101-128). Palgrave Pivot, Cham.
Luoma-Aho, V., 2009. Bowling together-applying Robert Putnam’s theories of community and
social capital to public relations. Public Relations and Social Theory: Key Figures and
Concepts/Edited by Ihlen, O., Van Ruler, B. & Fredrikson. M.(Eds.).-ISBN 978-0-415-
99785-0.
McChesney, R.W., 2015. Rich media, poor democracy: Communication politics in dubious
times. New Press, The.
Morris, T. and Goldsworthy, S., 2015. PR Today: the authoritative guide to public relations.
Palgrave Macmillan.
9

Pollitt, C. and Bouckaert, G., 2017. Public Management Reform: A Comparative Analysis-Into
the Age of Austerity. Oxford University Press.
Theaker, A. and Yaxley, H., 2017. The Public Relations Strategic Toolkit: An essential guide to
successful public relations practice. Routledge.
Yang, F. and Ott, H.K., 2016. What motivates the public? The power of social norms in driving
public participation with organizations. Public Relations Review. 42(5). pp.832-842.
Zandvliet, L. and Anderson, M., 2017. Getting it right: making corporate-community relations
work. Routledge.
Zingales, L., 2017. Towards a political theory of the firm. Journal of Economic
Perspectives. 31(3). pp.113-30.
Online:
How Businesses Do Lobby For Political Influence, 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.cleverism.com/businesses-lobby-for-political-influence/>.
Lifting The Lid On Lobbying, 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<file:///home/user/Downloads/TI-UK_Lifting_the_Lid_on_Lobbying.pdf>.
10