The advantages of lobbyists as a tool for special interest groups are that they provide different avenues where government policies and legislation are easily influenced. Holyoke (2021) argue that since lobbyists are professionals with an understanding of government legislature, they provide a platform where individuals access legal issues with ease. Therefore, lobbyists have the responsibility of bearing the concerns of the voters. Additionally, serving as interest group members, lobbyists help cover any knowledge gaps by presenting facts and research about issues and trying to persuade the government to act. The other advantage lobbyists bring to interest groups lies in power in numbers (Greenberg et al., 2021). Lobbyists present an opportunity where interest groups gain power, in terms of voices, to focus on fact-checking required to bolster arguments.
The disadvantages associated with lobbyists as a tool for special interest groups are that they have the opportunity to benefit specific interest groups excessively greatly. The government hears the preferences and wishes of powerful lobbies while the wishes of the weaker lobbies are neglected (Holyoke, 2021). Moreover, lobbyists in an interest group lead to political decisions that may no longer benefit the public. When involved in interest groups, lobbyists activities result in organizations getting all the benefits while the public needs remain unsolved. Former Congress members should be allowed to become lobbyists. These members can help legislators draft legislation and provide appropriate political information to both government officials and legislators (Greenberg et al., 2021). Additionally, by becoming lobbyists, former Congress members understand the broader picture of the needs of the society, and their incorporation paves the way for more information about issues.
References
Greenberg, E. S., Page, B. I., Doherty, D., Minkoff, S. L., & Ryan, J. (2021). The struggle for democracy. Pearson.
Holyoke, T. T. (2021). Interest groups and lobbying: Pursuing political interests in America. Routledge.