Definition:
Lobbying is the practice of attempting to influence laws, regulations, or public policy by engaging directly with lawmakers or decision-makers, often through sustained advocacy, funding, or access.
Usage Context:
Common in discussions of corporate power, regulatory capture, political accountability, and policy formation. Often contrasted with public participation or democratic processes.
Critical Note:
Lobbying privileges those with resources, time, and access. When influence is concentrated among powerful interests, policy outcomes can systematically favour profit over public wellbeing while remaining technically lawful.