Is it bad as it sounds? Unraveling lobbying

The Burning Case

Lobbying. A word that is often associated with corruption, conflict of interests and secrecy at the highest levels of power. Yes, almost like a spy novel!
But can you really buy a vote by inviting a representative to Bali? Or influence decision making by sliding money under a desk? Rest assured, not really. While it may not be as exciting as movies and TV shows depict it, lobbying can be just as dangerous.
We talk about this with Lala Hakuma Dadci, a fossil fuel campaigner at Corporate Europe Observatory who tells us all about the tactics used and millions (€250 to be precise) poured into lobbying by the fossil fuel industry to weaken and influence climate policies in Europe. You're going to want to hear what happens behind the scenes.
But lobbying can also be an incredible force for good! Yes, it's not just corporations and businesses with their thousands of lobbyists and big money that can have an impact on policy making. You can too! That's what we've learned talking to Alberto Alemanno, EU law professor and founder of The Good Lobby, an organisation that helps citizens make their voices heard at every level of power, from local to European.
From why we've lost the habit of taking part in the democratic life to why the EU feels so distant and unreachable and what is the best tool to influence policy making, we ended our chat full of hope that everyone can become a citizen lobbyist.