The Anti-Corruption Plain Language Guide - Transparency ...
The Anti-Corruption Plain Language Guide - Transparency ...
The Anti-Corruption Plain Language Guide - Transparency ...
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Lobbying<br />
Definition<br />
Any activity carried out to influence a government or institution’s policies and decisions in<br />
favour of a specific cause or outcome. Even when allowed by law, these acts can become<br />
distortive if disproportionate levels of influence exist — by companies, associations,<br />
organisations and individuals. 42<br />
Example in practice<br />
American lobbying expenses have almost doubled over the last decade, reaching US$ 2.8<br />
billion in 2007 and swelling the ranks of lobbyists to a record 16,000 in 2008. <strong>The</strong> U.S.<br />
pharmaceutical and health products industry is one of the top lobbying groups whose<br />
investments have resulted in successfully blocking regulated price controls, restricting<br />
importation of drugs from countries that cap drug prices, and influencing industry-friendly<br />
policies at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.<br />
Relevant links<br />
—— Alliance for Lobbying <strong>Transparency</strong> and Ethics Regulation.<br />
www.alter-eu.org/<br />
—— Center for Public Integrity: LobbyWatch.<br />
www.publicintegrity.org/projects/entry/290/<br />
—— Open Secrets.<br />
www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/<br />
25<br />
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL PLAIN LANGUAGE GUIDE - JULY 2009
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