Political scientists can be of practical assistance to important segments of the adult population who need training to develop lobbying skills. This is an area in which the subjectmatter expertise and teaching experience of political scientists have direct application outside the traditional classroom setting.

A great many citizens’ groups, professional associations, public officials, business organizations and private citizens have occasion to contact their representatives on legislative business. Yet many, if not most, of these groups and individuals have little understanding of the process in which they are engaged. In consequence, they may approach lobbying with great trepidation, they may be unable to maximize their influence and they may hold unrealistic expectations of the ability of individual legislators to shape policy.