Miller, C. (1998). Practical techniques for effective lobbying. A Hawksmere Special
Briefing.
The author, working with UK and EU institutions for twenty (20) years, with corresponding
experience in Whitehall and the House of Commons as a consultant on political and regulatory
issues, and now a Director of the Public Policy Unit has spoken at a number of Hawksmere
seminars for eight (8) years. He then, created his book about various techniques for an effective
lobbying. In his book, he highlighted different influences of legislative proposals and regulatory
decisions that may contribute to an easier lobbying. On the other hand, he clearly explained
lobbying in a simpler way such that the reader may look at it at a different angle and view
different advantages and disadvantages.
In this book, Miller, tried to state different facts about lobbying which are simple, but are often
neglected by the professionals who are often involved in practices such as lobbying. Also, the
author emphasized various statements that are very essential and worth-knowing to gain that
certain skill for effective lobbying. It is very remarkable for the author to obviously highlight
important facts by putting them in boxes or flowcharts. Unlike other books that deliver long
paragraphs to state a simple instruction, this book can comprise it in a single sentence or a few
groups of sentences. The littlest details that were included in the book were used by the author
in the most effective manner by tracing them directly to the events wherein they contribute.
As a political science student, and soon-to-be public figure in the world of politics, this book will
be a helpful instrument for me to easily determine my dos and don’ts in a system. This book will
guide me on where I should focus and how I could be influential to many different groups in the
society, regardless of whether it is of public premises of privatized institutions.
Baumgartner, F. R., Berry, J. M., Hojnacki, M., Kimball, D. C., Leech A. B. L. (2009).
Lobbying and Policy Change. The Universityof Chicago Press.
The authors, professors of Political Science in different universities, collected pertinent data by
conducting a research in order to produce a book about lobbying and policy change which was
funded by the National Science Foundation. Interviews were conducted throughout Washington
with different lobbyists, legislative aides, bureaucrats, and other people in order to widely
discuss the policy-making process. To test their hypotheses about the power in Washington, the
researchers looked over at randomly selected issues and some which were posted by a certain
interest group in order to come up with a valid conclusion. In contrast, the researcher needed
more samples from different groups in order to utilize a more acceptable data. Eventually, they
have decided to proceed on a step by step procedure in selecting and conducting the sampling.
Zetter, L. (2008). Lobbying: The Art of Political Persuasion. Harriman House Ltd.
The author, politically inclined by having worked in public affairs for more than a quarter of a
century, has been privileged to apply public affairs not just in Westminster and Whitehall but

also in Edinburgh, Cardiff and on both sides of the Irish border. He has been involved in
lobbying at the local government level and mastered his political proficiency for many years.
However, those years of experiences were not able to convince him of the effectiveness of
democracy. He believes and emphasizes the power of humanity on the development and
betterment of its own nation. In contrast with the freedom to choose, he has added the
acceptable and inacceptable proposals when it comes to changes in the system of politics. The
tips highlighted by the author are very remarkable and easy-to-access information for readers
who are just previewing the book. Regardless if the statement came from Zetter or a resource
person, he has pin-pointed a number of notable opinions and facts. Importantly, Zetter also
mentioned the advantage of engaging on the practice at an early state to provide oneself with
basic and advance ideas on lobbying.
Kimura, M. (2003). The Emergence of the Middle Classes and Political Change in the
Philippines. The Developing Ecomonies.
The author, interested in the study of international relations, and Southeast Asian studies,
particularly the Philippines, have engaged in various researches and published many articles
regarding the said topic. His articles have already appeared in Pilipinas and Southeast Asian
Studies. In “The Emergence of the Middle Classes and Political Change in the Philippines”, the
author aims to provide a significant study about the direct and indirect relations present between
the existing classes in the society, and the economic and political stability in a community. The
scope of the study also includes the new pattern of politics which massively took place after the
Aquino assassination.
In conclusion of the study, the rise of the middle class vigorously started during the American
colonization in the Philippines, which also, fueled up the industrialization in the early 1930’s.
Since the industrialization started to slow down, the population of the middle class grew to be
minimal; this gave way to the growth of the lower class population in the informal sectors.
Despite the classification of the middle class, the people within this group are still divided
because of various financial states and properties. In contrast to this idea, the middle class is
not diverse when it comes to politics. Hence, they just organize themselves into groups of
roughly the same political perspectives. Unfortunately, because of many different groups, and
the relatively small population of the middle class, they encounter certain difficulties in
influencing the political system.
As a Political Science student, there is a huge possibility that I will pursue politics in the near
future. In accordance to that, I think it would be a good advantage if I knew what group to
become involved with to grasp a superior influence with different political actors. It is also
important for me to note the safe havens and death seats in the world of politics. Meaning, it
would be a good idea to know if a certain group has what we usually call ‘hatak’ or people who
would likely support it.

Aceron, J., Teehankee, J., Franco, J., Leonillo, G. (2009). Reforming the Philippine
Political Party System: Ideas and Initiatives, Debates and Dynamics. Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung (FES).
The authors, being proficient political scientists and educators, have come up with a study on
the Philippine political party system. The collaboration was made in order to critically examine
the pros and cons behind different political organizations in our country. The authors would
explain the issue of mal-development in terms of politics, which directly involves the seemingly
unstable existence of our political parties. The articles also provided various references for
effectively reforming political parties.
To simply elaborate the highlights of the study, the authors mentioned the existence of a
political party in the Philippines as a ‘political fan club’ instead of a party having the same point
of view and political platforms. Because of the Philippines’ poor standards and restrictions in the
formation of a political party, different parties could be established anywhere without a particular
timeline. Although the COMELEC is regulating the transition of different political organizations,
they still seem to be lagging behind when it comes to the formation of political parties. Almost
anyone in our country can establish his own political party for as long as he is financially
inclined, and a very influential personality. Political party in the Philippines has turned into a
temporary façade in order for a certain political actor to gain more popularity by simply entering
a group of more political actors. During the Philippine elections, because of these unruly acts
done by different political parties, the elections would just turn out to be a popularity contest
instead of exercising sovereignty among Filipinos. Furthermore, political parties need to be
centralized in terms of principles and the collaboration done among members. However, in the
Philippine government, the seated political actors simply side on the superior, which is the
president. Thus, the political party, at times, is technically neglected by the ones who have
already been positioned on a certain government office.
As wise political thinker, I should be aware of the system or processes that take place behind
the existence of political parties. On a case to case basis, I should be able to decide of whether
it is a good idea to join this certain party, or if it would be better to engage in the elections
independently. Because of the blurred identity of the political parties in our country, It would
seem to be a rather ‘stupid’ decision to become involved with one, since almost all people, or
the media, rather, tries to complicate the elections by throwing different scandals, and
allegations on a certain party. Consequently, these turns of events would likely affect the party
as a whole, instead of by political actor. Now, I should just think critically in order to analyze
which side should I take if I were to become a political candidate, by taking note of the effective
ideas mentioned in this book.