On the Advantages of a Well-Constructed Lobbying System: Towards a More Democratic, Modern Lobbying Process Sep 21, 2017 By Christine MahoneyLee Drutman On the Advantages of a Well-Constructed Lobbying System: Towards a More Democratic, Modern Lobbying Process The American lobbying information processing system is woefully outdated. The mechanisms by which citizen, interest group, and business concerns are incorporated into the policymaking process have largely not been updated in over 200 years. Lobbyists set up meetings with staffers and members of Congress and share position papers with them about their arguments on a given policy issue. There is no central location where staffers can find out who is lobbying on a given bill and what they are arguing. In this paper, we make the case for a new information processing system that would provide Congress with a more efficient and effective way to manage the information flooding the Hill, and which would ensure more transparency about who is lobbying on any given bill and what they are saying. If used effectively by Congress, watchdog groups, and journalists, this system could result in better representation for a more diverse group of citizens. Interest Groups and Advocacy Christine Mahoney Christine Mahoney is Professor of Public Policy and Politics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Director of Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia. Read full bio Lee Drutman Related Content Christine Mahoney Failure and Hope: Fighting for the Rights of the Forcibly Displaced Research In 2015, 60 million people were displaced by violent conflict globally - the highest since World War II. National and international policy prevents the displaced from working or moving freely outside the camps set up to ‘temporarily’ house them. Post-Map-Ask: Towards a More Democratic, Modern Lobbying Process Research The Virginia Impact Investing Ecosystem Mapping News A new report from the Virginia Impact Investing Forum, housed within Batten’s SE@UVA, found $19 billion in Virginia impact capital but tens of billions more on the sidelines that could be unlocked with more convening, training, and sharing of success stories. Christine Mahoney, director of SE@UVA explains how universities can connect the dots between impact investors and social entrepreneurs and do it in a cost-efficient way. How Can Private Capital Best Serve the Public Good? News When we think about the organizations making a positive change in the world, nonprofits usually come to mind. But in the latest installment of Expert Chats, Batten's Christine Mahoney argued that if we consider the private sector as well, we can address today’s global problems much more creatively.
Christine Mahoney Christine Mahoney is Professor of Public Policy and Politics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Director of Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia. Read full bio
Failure and Hope: Fighting for the Rights of the Forcibly Displaced Research In 2015, 60 million people were displaced by violent conflict globally - the highest since World War II. National and international policy prevents the displaced from working or moving freely outside the camps set up to ‘temporarily’ house them.
The Virginia Impact Investing Ecosystem Mapping News A new report from the Virginia Impact Investing Forum, housed within Batten’s SE@UVA, found $19 billion in Virginia impact capital but tens of billions more on the sidelines that could be unlocked with more convening, training, and sharing of success stories. Christine Mahoney, director of SE@UVA explains how universities can connect the dots between impact investors and social entrepreneurs and do it in a cost-efficient way.
How Can Private Capital Best Serve the Public Good? News When we think about the organizations making a positive change in the world, nonprofits usually come to mind. But in the latest installment of Expert Chats, Batten's Christine Mahoney argued that if we consider the private sector as well, we can address today’s global problems much more creatively.