Lobbying Is Just Corruption in a Nicer Suit
Lobbying Is Corruption
A European responds to George Hotz's viral explanation of lobbying for non-Americans. The author argues that the practice Hotz describes—campaign donations, Super PACs, and revolving-door consulting jobs—is exactly what Europeans call corruption. Wikipedia's own definition of corruption explicitly includes lobbying as a legal form of abuse of entrusted power for private gain. The disagreement isn't about the facts, but about the name.
He is right, except for one detail: as a European, I understand the concept, but I do not use the word “lobbying” to describe it. I use another word: corruption.