Business_150

Unit 1 Individual Project Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Class BUSN 150 – Legal and Ethical Environment of Business by Scott D. Clark AIU Online 26 September 2010 Abstract This research paper will define the difference between lobbying and bribery. Provide a scenario for punishment of SLOC members concerning the 2002 Olympics scandal and the definition of an illegal bribe according to the FCPA. Unit 1 Individual Project There is a fine line between bribery and lobbying. Lobbying, in general, refers to the act of trying to influence members of a legislative body to vote in favor of the ‘lobbyist’. In some governments, ‘lobbyists’ have formally recognized groups, whose interests are ‘lobbied’ for, that may be wholly or partially funded by organizations, or even nations. On a softer side, lobbying may just involve political support offered in return for political influence, or action. Lobbying that is legalized by a government does not involve financial support. ( www.Difference Between.net ). Bribery, on the other hand, involves offering money in return for political action or influence. Often this bribery comes in cash form, without involving bank transactions, and this is one of the reasons many lobbyists have been accused of bribery. Therefore, bribery is when money contributions are made to a political group in expectation of being favored in political or legislative decisions. Priorities and decisions of legislators, governors, councilmen and the President alike, are defined by money handouts by lobbyists. (Difference Between.net). The SLOC members could make the argument that bribery is a common form of business in some countries and to compete in the arena for the Olympic games it was necessary to compete against others. The appropriate answer for the form of punishment the SLOC members should receive is expulsion. Only the members should be held responsible the towns people should not be held responsible. References Ebert, R. J. and Griffin, R. W. (2009). Business essentials. (7th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc QuestionHub.com - bribe search results Illegal bribe under the FCPA - WebAnswers.com The Olympic Bribery Scandal http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index'qid=20070723165040AAwGq8u .