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To ''lobby'' in American politics means to talk to legislators in private to convince them to vote a certain way on specific legislation. As a noun, a "lobby" is an organization that lobbies legislatures, either for pay from a sponsor or as a public service.  A lobby works for an '''interest group'''.

To ''lobby'' in American politics means to talk to legislators in private to convince them to vote a certain way on specific legislation. As a noun, a "lobby" is an organization that lobbies legislatures, either for pay from a sponsor or as a public service.  A lobby works for an '''interest group'''.

In recent decades thousands of lobbysists are at work in washington for every possible interest.  Lobbysists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbysists are former members of Congress or former staffers.

In recent decades thousands of lobbyists are at work in Washington for every possible interest.  Lobbyists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbyists are former members of Congress or former staffers.

Since 1900 lobbying has became a legal, regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927-28, 1935-38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing corruption and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of ethical issues.  

Since 1900 lobbying has became a legal, regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927-28, 1935-38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing corruption and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of ethical issues.  

==History==

==History==

In the 19th century, the most important lobbies worked on behalf of a wool tarioff and railroad subsidies in the 1865-900 era. In the South during [[Reconstruction]] lobbysists were very active in state capitols, seeking and getting subsidies for railroads.  Many times they had to bribe legislators.  In the early 20th century effective lobbyists represented the [[Anti-Saloon League]] (to prohibit alcohol, and farm interests.  

In the 19th century, the most important lobbies worked on behalf of a wool tariff and railroad subsidies in the 1865-900 era. In the South during [[Reconstruction]] lobbyists were very active in state capitols, seeking and getting subsidies for railroads.  Many times they had to bribe legislators.  In the early 20th century effective lobbyists represented the [[Anti-Saloon League]] (to prohibit alcohol, and farm interests.  

Lobbying was in bad odor in the [[Progressive Era]] early 20th century, with many reformers (like [[Woodrow Wilson]]) convinced that it undermined representative government by skewing the thinking of legislators.  Lobbyists began to employ propaganda techniques during the early 20th century to assert a more prominent role in the policy making process in the U.S. It is noted that while lobbyists amplified their constituents' power and influence, the methods they employed using false and misleading information cast doubt on the ability of ordinary citizens to participate in democratic politics.<ref> Loomis (2009)</ref>  

Lobbying was in bad odor in the [[Progressive Era]] early 20th century, with many reformers (like [[Woodrow Wilson]]) convinced that it undermined representative government by skewing the thinking of legislators.  Lobbyists began to employ propaganda techniques during the early 20th century to assert a more prominent role in the policy making process in the U.S. It is noted that while lobbyists amplified their constituents' power and influence, the methods they employed using false and misleading information cast doubt on the ability of ordinary citizens to participate in democratic politics.<ref> Loomis (2009)</ref>  

==Famous lobbies==

==Famous lobbies==

Before the Civil War, the Christian lobby called for the abiolition of slavery.  It was politically weak and the target of riidicule before the Civil War, when it suddenly became powerful and won its case.  Many continues to  lobby on behalf of the Freedmen during [[Reconstruction]]. After 1870 Protestant lobbyists formed working partnerships with Southern Democrats (who had a base of Protestant support), along with many Republicans who represented pietistic Protestant districts in the North.  The lobbyists (and the groups they represented), pushed through Congress effective federal policies against polygamy, laws banning obscenity and prizefight films from interstate commerce and the mails, and (especially in the states) laws to restrict prostitution, sex with underage girls, and easy divorce.  They tried not only to put God in the Constitution but also, through suasion and legislation, to control drinking, obesity, divorce, Sabbath observance, gambling, smoking, prize fighting, prostitution, and sex with underage girls.  Most significantly, they fought for prohibition--and under professional leadership of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], finally won. Famous leaders included [[Frances Willard]] of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Wayne Wheeler of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], and antipomography campaigner [[Anthony Comstock]], whose laws against obscenity remain the law of the land.  Proposed constitutional amendments regulating divorce and declaring the United States a Christian nation never reached the floor of Congress. Neither did the proposal for federal censorship of movies.<ref> Foster (2002)</ref>  

Before the Civil War, the Christian lobby called for the abolition of slavery.  It was politically weak and the target of ridicule before the Civil War, when it suddenly became powerful and won its case.  Many continues to  lobby on behalf of the Freedmen during [[Reconstruction]]. After 1870 Protestant lobbyists formed working partnerships with Southern Democrats (who had a base of Protestant support), along with many Republicans who represented pietistic Protestant districts in the North.  The lobbyists (and the groups they represented), pushed through Congress effective federal policies against polygamy, laws banning obscenity and prizefight films from interstate commerce and the mails, and (especially in the states) laws to restrict prostitution, sex with underage girls, and easy divorce.  They tried not only to put God in the Constitution but also, through suasion and legislation, to control drinking, obesity, divorce, Sabbath observance, gambling, smoking, prize fighting, prostitution, and sex with underage girls.  Most significantly, they fought for prohibition--and under professional leadership of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], finally won. Famous leaders included [[Frances Willard]] of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Wayne Wheeler of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], and antipomography campaigner [[Anthony Comstock]], whose laws against obscenity remain the law of the land.  Proposed constitutional amendments regulating divorce and declaring the United States a Christian nation never reached the floor of Congress. Neither did the proposal for federal censorship of movies.<ref> Foster (2002)</ref>  

The woman suffragists tried lobbying as well, but founfd their best success when they appealed to male voters at election time.   

The woman suffragists tried lobbying as well, but found their best success when they appealed to male voters at election time.   

The Israel Lobby refers to a coalition of Fundamentalist Protestants and major Jewish organizations. The lobby has strongly prmoted American policies in the Middle East that are pro-Israel.<ref>David Howard Goldberg, ''Foreign Policy and Ethnic Interest Groups: American and Canadian Jews Lobby for Israel'' (1990) [http://www.questia.com/read/27498528?title=Foreign%20Policy%20and%20Ethnic%20Interest%20Groups%3a%20American%20and%20Canadian%20Jews%20Lobby%20for%20Israel online edition]</ref>

The Israel Lobby refers to a coalition of Fundamentalist Protestants and major Jewish organizations. The lobby has strongly promoted American policies in the Middle East that are pro-Israel.<ref>David Howard Goldberg, ''Foreign Policy and Ethnic Interest Groups: American and Canadian Jews Lobby for Israel'' (1990) [http://www.questia.com/read/27498528?title=Foreign%20Policy%20and%20Ethnic%20Interest%20Groups%3a%20American%20and%20Canadian%20Jews%20Lobby%20for%20Israel online edition]</ref>

==Scandals==

==Scandals==

Bribery has always been illegal and hints of bribery destroy the effectiveness of a lobbyist--and seriously hurt major politicians such as [[James G. Blaine]]. [[Image:84tattoo.jpg|thumb|450px|the famous "tattoed man" cartoon, with Blaine covered by indelible scandals connected to lobbyists; ''Puck'' June 4, 1884 cartoon by Bernhard Gillam]]

Bribery has always been illegal and hints of bribery destroy the effectiveness of a lobbyist--and seriously hurt major politicians such as [[James G. Blaine]]. [[Image:84tattoo.jpg|thumb|450px|the famous "tattoed man" cartoon, with Blaine covered by indelible scandals connected to lobbyists; ''Puck'' June 4, 1884 cartoon by Bernhard Gillam]]

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff in the early 21st century went to prison for his extreme lobbying, especially on behalf of Indian casions. He dragged down numerous allies.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff in the early 21st century went to prison for his extreme lobbying, especially on behalf of Indian casinos. He dragged down numerous allies.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==