Balance of Factions Lost

1min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Historically, lobbying was seen as a necessary component of democracy, where factions representing diverse interests battled for influence in shaping laws. Originally, the founding fathers anticipated a balance between pro-industry and consumer factions, leading to an equilibrium beneficial to both sides. However, over the past 50 years, this balance has shifted dramatically. Big corporations, particularly in the tech sector, now dominate lobbying efforts, outspending and outmaneuvering consumer advocates. This shift began in the 1970s, when economic challenges like stagflation reduced corporate accountability and increased their political influence, resulting in a legislative landscape where the average consumer holds little power.

Today, the tech industry is the second-biggest lobbying power in Washington, DC, but that wasn’t true as recently as ten years ago. How did we get to this moment? And where could we be going next? On this episode of Your Undivided Attention, Tristan and Daniel sit down with historian Margaret O’Mara and journalist Brody Mullins to discuss how Silicon Valley has changed the nature of American lobbying.

Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

RECOMMENDED MEDIA

The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government - Brody’s book on the history of lobbying.

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America - Margaret’s book on the historical relationship between Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill

More information on the Google antitrust ruling

More Information on KOSPA

More information on the SOPA/PIPA internet blackout

Detailed breakdown of Internet lobbying from Open Secrets

RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES

U.S. Senators Grilled Social Media CEOs. Will Anything Change?

Can We Govern AI? with Marietje Schaake
The Race to Cooperation with David Sloan Wilson

CORRECTION: Brody Mullins refers to AT&T as having a “hundred million dollar” lobbying budget in 2006 and 2007. While we couldn’t verify the size of their budget for lobbying, their actual lobbying spend was much less than this: $27.4m in 2006 and $16.5m in 2007, according to OpenSecrets.

The views expressed by guests appearing on Center for Humane Technology’s podcast, Your Undivided Attention, are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of CHT. CHT does not support or oppose any candidate or party for election to public office