The practice of attempting to influence government officials or legislators on behalf of a particular cause, organization, or interest group. Involves organized efforts to affect policy decisions.
From 'lobby,' originally referring to the entrance hall of the British House of Commons where people waited to speak with members of Parliament. The practice of influencing politicians in these spaces gave the word its modern political meaning.
Lobbying got its name from people literally hanging around in lobbies waiting to catch politicians - it's democracy's version of networking, where the hallway conversations can be just as important as the formal debates!
Lobbying historically excluded women and is framed as power politics; when women lobby, language often delegitimizes their advocacy as 'influencing' or 'pressure.'
Use 'advocacy,' 'lobbying,' and 'organizing' as politically neutral terms regardless of who practices them. Avoid gendered synonyms.
["advocacy","organizing","political engagement"]
Women's political organizing and lobbying for rights has been foundational; use equal terminology when describing women's and men's political participation.
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