Introduction
Formally organized groups that seek to represent and promote the interests of their constituency in the policy process are usually called “interest groups.” Nonprofit organizations representing their constituents’ interests, especially interests of the general public and/or the underrepresented are sometimes termed public interest groups. Interest groups provide citizens with mechanisms for transmitting information about their policy preferences to democratic government. When they attempt to influence public policy, their organized efforts are generally called “lobbying.” This entry addresses definitions, forms, theories, influences, and international perspectives of lobbying as well as future directions of research on lobbying.
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References/Further Readings
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Yoshioka, T. (2010). Lobbying. In: Anheier, H.K., Toepler, S. (eds) International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-93996-4_167
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