Do other countries such as Canada, - Democratic Underground

shraby

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:28 PM
Original message

Do other countries such as Canada,

Germany, Sweden, France, England, Spain, Switzerland, etc. have problems as bad as the U.S. does with influence buying by lobbyists?

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ayeshahaqqiqa

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:31 PM
Response to Original message

1. In the case of Canada and England, I'd say probably not

because those two systems are based on a parliamentary system where the ruling party can be brought down by a vote of no confidence at any time. Also, these countries usually have representatives from more than just two political parties, so it is harder for corporations to have a stranglehold on everyone. I don't know about the way the other countries you mentioned run, so I can't say about them. But the parliamentary system is, I feel, more responsive to the people and less likely to have everyone being corrupt.

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shraby

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:36 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Thank you. Our only solution is to make all

lobbying illegal. That hurts grass roots causes, but it also makes their causes more likely to be acknowledged if lobbyists aren't drowning them out.

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ayeshahaqqiqa

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. I have an idea that might work

Don't outlaw lobbying-just make it illegal to be paid in any way for lobbying efforts. That way grass roots citizens' groups could still have a voice.

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rogerashton

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Sun Dec-04-05 06:50 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. And Canada's Liberal government just fell for that very reason.

http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5243159

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BooScout

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:41 PM
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3. In a word..........NO.

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muriel_volestrangler

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Sun Dec-04-05 07:54 PM
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6. I would say the UK has less of a problem because there is less money

in politics, than in the USA - because political TV adverts are not allowed. While American politicians are desperate for money to run their campaigns, because they have to keep up with each other in TV advert spending, in the UK they can't spend it that way at all. Also, individual candidates are severely restricted in their campaign spending, so all the corporate money goes to central party organisations. Lobbyists do get some influence there, but it doesn't seem as effective as in the USA - possibly because there isn't the pressure from the individual candidates to keep the lobbyist money flowing.

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