To put lobbying in simple words, it is a process when the interest group is influencing legislators through a bill or raising a social issue with the proposed solution to the case. This process promotes the issues or interests of specific groups by communicating with the government official or organisation. Public interest groups are non-profit organisations, which stand the opposite of government interest groups. The Bible has some parallels with modern lobbying — the world’s politicians could not utilize any more experience described in the book.
Interest Groups
The key role of interest groups in politics cannot be argued: they stand as messengers between the people and government. Not taking into the account the side they are taking — government or society’s voice — they will be an envoy between the public and officials. Gelman argues that the interest groups serve as a reliable source of information used for messaging purposes of the government (2017). With the information given, the conclusion is that the role of the interest groups is to adjust communication, bring government’s proposals or solutions, bring back a response to same to the legal powers, and defend bills.
Strategies
In order to get to their goal — a specific change or policy outcome — interest groups develop strategies. Their tactic has to be strictly reviewed with the accordance to the political environment. For example, legislative lobbying is the leading strategy of interested parties in the United States, because the power is placed on the U.S. Congress (Gelman, 2017). There are two main tactics, them being the inside and outside lobbying. Inside lobbying implies close communication with the political powers and major finances. Outside lobbying is aimed at public, if effective, changes the public’s view on certain political decisions (Gelman, 2017). Both of the tactics are believed to have a generous amount of influence if used correctly.
Congressional Committees
The most legislative works is done in committees. Lobbyists testify at the hearings, provide their opinion, arguments, and sometimes write the legislation. They explain why the bill is crucially important to the people, providing the statements that can hardly be argued. The role of congressional committees for the interested party to defend their idea of change. It is the last step for the interest group to take before their solution will be held by the government.
Biblical Model of Statesmanship
It is arguable if religion should be involved with politics. The religion has a major impact on the society, whether it is being suppressed or pushed by the government as ideology (Davies, 2018). While this question is open, it is clearly seen how Jesus could be the world’s first lobbyist. Biblical model of leadership is based on the belief that a person could be a leader without an ultimate control over certain group of people. Matthew 20:25-28 is where Jesus teaches leading without taking anyone else’s freedom. He defended people’s needs, wants and sins, but that led him to the crucifixion. In the modern times, it could be said that the crowd was an interested party which lobbied their bill.
To conclude, the experience given in the Bible shows that people will be striking against the power if given too much freedom, but this issue has been already somewhat regulated by the constitution. The modern government can gain some ideas and warnings from the way statesmanship is shown in the Bible, but most of them are being actively used at the moment.
References
Davies, A. (2018). Reading politics through scripture: International relations, the Bible and conservative Christianity. Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association.
Gelman, J. (2017). Rewarding dysfunction: Interest group and intended legislative failure. Legislative studies quarterly, 42(4), 661-693.
Holy Bible. (1996). New Living Translation.