Lobbyists, Governments And Public Trust Promoting Integrity Through Self-Regulation

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9789264084933
• ISBN10: 9264084932
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-10-17
• Publisher: Organization For Economic Co-Operation & Development

Summary

This report looks at how the lobbying profession, using government- and self-regulation, is attempting to reform its reputation for undue influence peddling. The report documents self-regulation steps taken by lobbying associations in Europe. It also draws on the most comprehensive survey to date of lobbyists' attitudes toward self-regulation and regulation of their profession in Europe. It reviews the options for improving transparency and accountability in lobbying and suggests ways in which government regulations and self-regulatory tools (codes of conduct, ethics training, enforcement mechanisms, registration) can be strengthened.

Table of Contents

Acronyms	p. 10
Executive Summary	p. 13
Introduction	p. 17
Methodology	p. 18
Notes	p. 20
Bibliography	p. 20
Private Interests, Public Conduct: The Essence of Lobbying	p. 21
Introduction	p. 22
Definitions of "lobbying"	p. 22
Lobbying is at a crossroads	p. 26
"Good" versus "bad" lobbying	p. 27
Cost/benefit analysis of lobbying	p. 29
Reciprocity principle	p. 30
Notes	p. 32
Bibliography	p. 32
The Role of Professional Lobbying Associations in Self-Regulation of Lobbying	p. 35
Introduction	p. 36
Public Relations Institute of Ireland	p. 37
Swedish Public Relations Association	p. 40
Croatian Society of Lobbyists	p. 41
Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Association of Professional Political Consultants and Public Relations Consultants Association in the UK	p. 42
Society of European Affairs Professionals	p. 47
Notes	p. 48
Bibliography	p. 48
Codes of Conduct for Lobbyists	p. 51
Introduction	p. 52
From moral to behavioural codes	p. 52
Codes of conduct for the lobbying profession	p. 54
Behavioural principles for professional lobbying	p. 54
Bibliography	p. 57
Lobbyist Regulatory Regimes in Europe	p. 59
Introduction	p. 60
Germany	p. 60
Hungary	p. 61
Lithuania	p. 61
Poland	p. 62
France	p. 62
EU institutions	p. 64
Note	p. 65
Bibliography	p. 65
Lobbyists' Attitudes Toward Self-Regulation and Regulation of Lobbying in Europe	p. 67
Introduction	p. 68
Lobbyist survey results	p. 69
Public sector survey results	p. 85
Notes	p. 87
Bibliography	p. 87
Conclusion: Options for Enhancing Transparency and Accountability through Self-Regulation and Regulation of Lobbying	p. 89
Introduction	p. 90
Enhancing transparency and accountability through self-regulation	p. 90
Enhancing transparency and accountability through regulation	p. 97
Finding the appropriate mix of self-regulation and regulation of lobbying	p. 105
Notes	p. 106
Bibliography	p. 106
Survey Questions	p. 109
Code of Lisbon	p. 114
Code of Brussels	p. 117
Association of Professional Political Consultants Code of Conduct	p. 120
Persons and Organisations Interviewed in the Course of this Study	p. 123
List of tables
Number of registered lobbyists at the US Federal Government and their spending	p. 30
Description of lobbyist survey respondents	p. 68
Subject to a code of conduct?	p. 70
Does the lobbyist code of conduct provide meaningful guidance?	p. 70
Are there effective rewards or penalties imposed in the code of conduct?	p. 72
Have any lobbyists been penalised for violating the lobbyist code of conduct?	p. 72
Is competition for business between lobbyists a motive to help ensure ethical behaviour?	p. 73
Would transparency help alleviate problems of inappropriate influence-peddling by lobbyists?	p. 76
Those who believe ethics is a problem cross-tabulated with who would best manage a lobbyist transparency programme	p. 82
Transparency useful cross-tabulated with government regulations improve transparency	p. 85
Regulation improves transparency cross-tabulated with who would best manage a transparency programme	p. 85
List of figures
Is inappropriate influence-peddling by lobbyists, such as seeking official favours with gifts or misrepresenting issues, a problem?	p. 74
Does the public perceive a problem of inappropriate influence peddling by lobbyists?	p. 75
Transparency is useful in alleviating actual or perceived problems of influence-peddling	p. 76
Which lobbying activities, if any, should be subject to transparency and made public record?	p. 77
Should transparency of lobbying activity be mandatory or voluntary?	p. 80
Who would best manage a lobbyist transparency programme?	p. 81
Regulation would improve transparency in policymaking	p. 83
Regulation of lobbying activity would improve transparency	p. 84
Which measures are "very effective" in curtailing inappropriate influence-peddling by lobbyists over public officials?	p. 86
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