What Is A Lobbocracy?

“Lobbocracy” is an interesting term and an odd one. Most people have never heard this term and wouldn’t know what it refers to. But within a certain circle of political scientists, social critics and lobbyists, the word is well understood. A lobbocracy is one in which the advertising, public relations, marketing and influence peddlers have more than average influence. In the extreme, the P.R. companies and lobbyists have a much better chance of affecting change than the general public, even with an honest election system in place.

Lobbying and pressuring elected officials for special treatment is primarily about influence. If a representative from a particular industry or organization gains access to a Congressman, Senator or other political insider, chances are his or her persuasive powers will push things in the “right” direction.

Groups with special projects or items of interest will employ several tactics to get their message across. These include direct contact with the decision makers as well as advertising campaigns and public-relations efforts through newspapers, television and radio.

Of course, one of the key factors in making a lobbocracy work is money. Major corporations, manufacturers and industry organizations have access to a lot of money that finances effect P.R. campaigns and even influences decision makers directly. This latter activity, often known as bribery, has been at the core of several political-ethics issues in the United States. As companies and P.R. firms attempt to influence legislation or government programs in a certain way, there is temptation. Money has changed hands and will continue to in the modern lobbocracy.

One of the hallmarks of such a system is the money that is directed from corporations and large industry organizations to election campaigns. This is, for the most part, a legal way of buying influence. However, there have been instances in which the amount of money was too large or the influence to problematic for the program to continue. There are many instances of the lobbocracy operating successfully for the lobbyists and for the officials. Only the working man or woman who lives far from the state or federal capital suffers, in most cases.

One of the serious problems created by an expanding lobbocracy is the information that appears in the newspaper and in other media outlets. Too often the message is carefully scripted and contains half-truths that benefit the corporation, politician and the lobbyist, while damaging the financial and social status of the citizen.

One of the concerns for those who watch the lobbyists and politicians closely is the divisive nature of the lobbocracy. Great influence wielded by few and only a relative few benefit. This tends to create “sides,” as those who have little or no access suffer financially or socially, while the small number of “players” in the game reap huge benefits.

The lobbocracy umbrella has expanded to cover many religious and ethnic issues as well. This is quite disturbing to many who have followed the world political scene in the past few years. In addition, the growing strength of lobbying and influence-peddling in a lobbocracy has all but eliminated the democratic strength of some nations.

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