Lobbying and Government Relations: A Guide for Executives

(Hardback)

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a comprehensive, `insider's view' of the array of techniques that can be used to influence governmental policies and decisions. The text describes the origins of lobbying and illustrates the resources and tactics that are used by state and federal lobbyists. The reader learns `the ins and outs' of coalitions, grassroots strategy and political action committees. Mack concludes with a visionary look at lobbying in the future and presents a very useful summary of `Sources and Resources' that are useful in government relations work. Corporate Public Issues Written for executives of corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and other organizations interested in influencing legislation and regulations, this book is a comprehensive handbook on the array of techniques and technologies that can be used to influence governmental policies and decisions. Mack describes how to start or revitalize government relations programs at the federal, state, or local levels and presents a variety of tools designed to maximize the reader's understanding of how particular processes can be applied in practice, including step-by-step guidance and several models. Thorough coverage of issues such as planning, organization, and analysis as well as detailed information about specific government relations techniques, particularly direct lobbying, make this an invaluable resource that belongs on the bookshelf of every corporate executive with a need to start, reassess, or revitalize government relations programs in their companies; executives and leaders of trade associations, labor unions, public interest groups, and other organizations with a similar need; government officials, including legislators and their staffs, with an interest in exploring how the private sector approaches government relations; civic and community leaders wishing to learn how the lobbying process operates; and political science students, both graduate and undergraduate, with a need for a practical book on the lobbying arts to supplement the many scholarly works on interest group analysis. Mack emphasizes the importance of sound advance planning and mobilization of resources and explains how to analyze needs, how to research and evaluate the importance of issues, how to develop lobbying strategies, and how to manage a government relations staff. A special section on Sources and Resources lists a variety of publications, periodicals, information services, and organizations that can aid in the research process. Specific techniques are covered in-depth including different forms of direct lobbying, lobbying at the federal and state levels, the utilization of coalitions and trade associations, grass-roots lobbying, and the use of political action committees. Mack concludes with a look at the future, exploring the new forces and issues confronting government relations practitioners and the new technologies drawn from marketing and politics that will revolutionize the field by the end of the century.

Reviews

"Charles Mack has made a significant contribution to an improved understanding of the keystone of business-government relations, namely lobbying. The book is the product of the author's quarter-century experience in leadership roles in national and state trade associations, major corporations, and the political process. The author writes in an extraordinarily clear and direct manner. Mack has drawn upon his extensive experience to provide the reader with numerous specific examples of the conceptual points which he offers. The book provides an excellent and totally defensible rationale for lobbying including its role in a pluralistic society and the manner in which ethical constraints should be observed. I do not recall a more useful and accurate treatment of lobbying. Indeed, I believe this book will be recognized as the definitive work on that subject."-From the Foreword by Dr. Richard A. Edwards Formerly Senior Vice President, Government and Industry Relations, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Frederick R. Kappel Professor of Business-Government Relations, University of Minnesota
Charles S. Mack has written a new book on Lobbying and Government Relations--a comprehensive insider's view' of the array of techniques that can be used to influence governmntal policies and decisions. The text describes the origins of lobbying and illustrates the resources and tactics that are used by state and federal lobbyists. The reader learns the ins and outs' of coalitions, grassroots strategy and political action committees. Mack concludes with a visionary look at lobbying in the future and presents a very useful summary of Sources and Resources' that are useful in government relations work. "For executives interested in infuencing legislative debate at the federal, state, or local levels, this handbook covers the full range of proven lobbying techniques and technologies." Association Management, Sept. '90-Corporate Public Issues
This book is a thorough, practical guide to successful issues promotion, whether the desired end result is fundraising, formation of alliances, having an impact on the political process, etc. Mack, formerly on the staff of the Republican National Committee, also directed consumer affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He calls the Vatican the world's biggest lobby' and says in many situations, lobbying' becomes diplomacy.' To be successful, you shouldn't react on reflex, but do issues research, study your needs and the dynamics of public policy. His final chapter deals with the future of lobbying, whether it should be regulated, the ethics of honoraria, etc.-Library Journal
Whether you are charged with part-time or full-time responsibilities for either a business or non-business organization, you can be sure that Lobbying and Government Relations touches all the right bases. . . . An excellent introductory chapter probing the conceptual and historical dimensions of lobbying is followed by what amounts to a blueprint for designing and implementing a full-fledged government relations program. . . . Readers can expect sharply focused, very practical guidance on these (and other) aspects of lobbying: Applying new issues management techniques; Nuts and bolts of establishing an ongoing program; Tools, tactics and strategies for implementing the effort; Coalitions and grassroots--the major innovations of the '70s and '80s; Political action' (the controversial role of contributions and honoraria in business-government relations). We've made it clear that Lobbying and Government Relations wins high marks for substance. The frosting on the cake, however, is that Charley Mack's writing style is lively and interesting. His is a substantive book that reads well. What more need we say-Impact
"Charles S. Mack has written a new book on Lobbying and Government Relations--a comprehensive insider's view' of the array of techniques that can be used to influence governmntal policies and decisions. The text describes the origins of lobbying and illustrates the resources and tactics that are used by state and federal lobbyists. The reader learns the ins and outs' of coalitions, grassroots strategy and political action committees. Mack concludes with a visionary look at lobbying in the future and presents a very useful summary of Sources and Resources' that are useful in government relations work. "For executives interested in infuencing legislative debate at the federal, state, or local levels, this handbook covers the full range of proven lobbying techniques and technologies." Association Management, Sept. '90"-Corporate Public Issues
"This book is a thorough, practical guide to successful issues promotion, whether the desired end result is fundraising, formation of alliances, having an impact on the political process, etc. Mack, formerly on the staff of the Republican National Committee, also directed consumer affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He calls the Vatican the world's biggest lobby' and says in many situations, lobbying' becomes diplomacy.' To be successful, you shouldn't react on reflex, but do issues research, study your needs and the dynamics of public policy. His final chapter deals with the future of lobbying, whether it should be regulated, the ethics of honoraria, etc."-Library Journal
"Whether you are charged with part-time or full-time responsibilities for either a business or non-business organization, you can be sure that Lobbying and Government Relations touches all the right bases. . . . An excellent introductory chapter probing the conceptual and historical dimensions of lobbying is followed by what amounts to a blueprint for designing and implementing a full-fledged government relations program. . . . Readers can expect sharply focused, very practical guidance on these (and other) aspects of lobbying: Applying new issues management techniques; Nuts and bolts of establishing an ongoing program; Tools, tactics and strategies for implementing the effort; Coalitions and grassroots--the major innovations of the '70s and '80s; Political action' (the controversial role of contributions and honoraria in business-government relations). We've made it clear that Lobbying and Government Relations wins high marks for substance. The frosting on the cake, however, is that Charley Mack's writing style is lively and interesting. His is a substantive book that reads well. What more need we say"-Impact

Author Bio

CHARLES S. MACK is a management consultant with more than a quarter-century of experience in corporate government relations, trade association management and politics at both federal and state levels. He was president and chief executive officer of the New York State Food Merchants Association, and, earlier, director of public and government affairs for CPC International Inc. Previously, he directed the consumer affairs program of the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. and spent five years on the staff of the Republican National Committee. He ran successfully for political office in Maryland and later chaired a victorious Congressional campaign in New Jersey. He has taught, spoken, and written widely on government relations.