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Towards a More Democratic, Modern Lobbying Process The American lobbying information processing system is woefully outdated.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 Interest Groups and Advocacy Christine Mahoney Christine Mahoney is a professor of public policy and politics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She studies social justice advocacy, activism and direct action through social entrepreneurship. 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 UVA Batten Appoints Professor Christine Mahoney as Chief Innovation Officer News UVA Batten is thrilled to announce the appointment of Professor Christine Mahoney as our first Chief Innovation Officer. A seasoned entrepreneur, Mahoney launched Social Entrepreneurship at UVA (SE@UVA) which introduced new courses on social entrepreneurship, a minor, concept competition, and scholarships to work with social enterprises. Mahoney also hosts a variety of student activities that provide hands-on experience in social innovation. Advancing Innovative Policy in Rural Virginia and Beyond News The Batten School is making significant strides in advancing rural policy and economic development through its inaugural Tadler Fellowship in Impact Investing. This innovative program is not only supporting the White House's Rural Partner Network (RPN) Initiative to strengthen rural economies, but is also working directly with communities in Southwest Virginia to develop solutions for their unique economic and social challenges.
Christine Mahoney Christine Mahoney is a professor of public policy and politics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She studies social justice advocacy, activism and direct action through social entrepreneurship. 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.
UVA Batten Appoints Professor Christine Mahoney as Chief Innovation Officer News UVA Batten is thrilled to announce the appointment of Professor Christine Mahoney as our first Chief Innovation Officer. A seasoned entrepreneur, Mahoney launched Social Entrepreneurship at UVA (SE@UVA) which introduced new courses on social entrepreneurship, a minor, concept competition, and scholarships to work with social enterprises. Mahoney also hosts a variety of student activities that provide hands-on experience in social innovation.
Advancing Innovative Policy in Rural Virginia and Beyond News The Batten School is making significant strides in advancing rural policy and economic development through its inaugural Tadler Fellowship in Impact Investing. This innovative program is not only supporting the White House's Rural Partner Network (RPN) Initiative to strengthen rural economies, but is also working directly with communities in Southwest Virginia to develop solutions for their unique economic and social challenges.