The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A Guide to Internal Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, and Leadership

Defining Government Relations

Government relations is a term that is often misunderstood, occasionally shrouded in a sense of mystery, and sometimes regarded with uncertainty. But, at its core, government relations is a relatively straightforward activity that revolves around an organization's intent to understand a government's position on an issue while also advancing the organization's position relative to that issue. Government relations has sometimes been given uncomplimentary, and unfair, treatment in public opinion circles. Very often the term lobbyist is used pejoratively, without recognizing that government relations practitioners are entrusted with sharing the types of information, experience, and ideas that lead to the development ...