This episode dissects the evolution of modern lobbying in the US, revealing how corporations and "shadow lobbyists" have increasingly shaped policy across sectors like tech, finance, and healthcare since the 1970s. It emphasizes how big money influences government decisions, offering critical insights into the pervasive nature of influence peddling in Washington D.C. for ecommerce operators to understand broader regulatory landscapes.
Key takeaways
Modern lobbying transformed after the 1970s, moving beyond traditional influence to a more pervasive 'shadow lobbying' where corporate and billionaire money dictates policy across all sectors.
The tech industry, including giants like Meta and Apple, is now a major player in lobbying, significantly investing in influencing policy relevant to their business models, such as app developer advocacy and internet regulations.
Understand that policy decisions affecting ecommerce, from energy regulation to financial services and data privacy, are deeply intertwined with corporate lobbying efforts and specific "unsavory characters" who have shaped these practices.
Be aware of the "revolving door" phenomenon where individuals move between government and lobbying roles, creating a persistent cycle of influence that impacts regulatory environments.
Recognize the impact of "regulatory capture," where regulatory agencies may act in the interest of the industries they are supposed to oversee, a direct consequence of well-funded lobbying efforts that can affect ecommerce regulations.
Today, we’re talking about politics and lobbying in America. It’s hard to imagine a time when the influence of big corporations and billionaires didn’t touch every part of American politics, but the kind of lobbying we have now didn’t really exist before the 1970s. Now, our political debates about everything from energy, finance, and healthcare are deeply intertwined with corporations and their money — and new big players in tech now spend tons of political money of their own. To understand the structure of today’s political lobbying and how we go here, I brought Pulitzer Prize winner Brody Mullins on the show. Brody has a new book he co-wrote with his brother Luke Mullins called The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government, which came out last month. It’s a definitive history of modern lobbying in America, told through the lens of some of the industry’s most unsavory characters and the influence they’ve exerted on DC politics across decades. Links: If Donald Trump Wins, Paul Manafort Will Be Waiting in the Wings | NYT Meta had its biggest lobbying quarter ever | The Verge Apple quietly bankrolled a lobbying group for app developers | The Verge The Many Reinventions of a Legendary Washington Influence Peddler | Politico The Wolves of K Street review: how lobbying swallowed Washington | The Guardian Big Tech Has a New Favorite Lobbyist: You | WSJ SOPA bill shelved after global protests from Google, Wikipedia and others | WashPo The Russia Inquiry Ended a Democratic Lobbyist’s Career. He Wants It Back. | NYT The Swamp Builders | WashPo The Rise and Fall of a K Street Renegade | WSJ Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Today’s episode was produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and was edited by Callie Wright.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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Modern lobbying transformed after the 1970s, moving beyond traditional influence to a more pervasive 'shadow lobbying' where corporate and billionaire money dictates policy across all sectors.
What's takeaway #2 from this episode?
The tech industry, including giants like Meta and Apple, is now a major player in lobbying, significantly investing in influencing policy relevant to their business models, such as app developer advocacy and internet regulations.
What's takeaway #3 from this episode?
Understand that policy decisions affecting ecommerce, from energy regulation to financial services and data privacy, are deeply intertwined with corporate lobbying efforts and specific "unsavory characters" who have shaped these practices.
What's takeaway #4 from this episode?
Be aware of the "revolving door" phenomenon where individuals move between government and lobbying roles, creating a persistent cycle of influence that impacts regulatory environments.
What's takeaway #5 from this episode?
Recognize the impact of "regulatory capture," where regulatory agencies may act in the interest of the industries they are supposed to oversee, a direct consequence of well-funded lobbying efforts that can affect ecommerce regulations.
