February 20, 2004

Ted Arroyo's Ethics in Public Policy receives international attention

by Mary Anders, A'05, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications

There have always been people trying to influence the government and while lobbying is commonly seen as a controversial issue, it is a crucial part of maintaining a true democracy, says the Rev. Edward B. Arroyo, S.J., editor of Blueprint for Social Justice. He collaborated between Loyola's Twomey Center for Peace through Justice and Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center to publish The Ethics of Lobbying: Organized Interests, Political Power, and the Common Good. Arroyo began his research in 1997, and after four years of interviews and consultations, he published the book. The goal of the program is to develop ethical guidelines for lobbying and then educate people about them. This topic received international attention.

Although the book's research was confined to Washington, D.C., Arroyo received a global audience on the subject. He was invited to attend several events including his most recent to Universidad Alberto Hurtado in Santiago, Chile. In January, he presented a seminar to a panel of Chilean political leaders and more than 200 audience members. He discussed the need to "develop educational programs on ethical implications of lobbying." The panel consisted of representatives from four of the 10 major political parties of Chile, and the heads of the labor organizations and trade associations. After his speech, the audience asked questions and discussed how his ideas apply to their government. The purpose was not for them to adopt his guidelines, but for the political leaders of Chile to simply reflect on ethical guidelines in lobbying and public policy, he says. Arroyo conducted two workshops in Mexico, and his book is being translated into Spanish. He also published an article in France, which will be published next week.

"Lobbying has a bad reputation, but it can be a legitimate and reputable profession," Arroyo stresses. "It is essential to democracy, but it needs to be regulated." Arroyo proposes that a lobbyist must "take into account the common good, not merely a particular client's interests narrowly considered." He believes that lobbying can be a virtuous thing to do, and that Christians "have a responsibility to get involved in advocacy or lobbying."