revolving door

Definition

The practice of individuals moving between government positions and private sector jobs in industries they previously regulated or will soon lobby. Corruption that's technically legal and socially acceptable in Washington.

Example Usage

The former FDA commissioner joined a pharmaceutical company's board six months after leaving office—a classic revolving door maneuver.

Origin

Metaphor from rotating entrance doors, applied to government-industry movement in 1970s

Fun Fact

Studies show that revolving door lobbyists charge 20-30% more for their services than non-revolving door lobbyists, explicitly monetizing their government connections.

Source: Government ethics and lobbying regulation

Related Terms

Beginner

Campaign Trail

The grueling journey where politicians eat terrible diner food, kiss babies, and pretend to enjoy every local tradition in every state for eighteen straight months. It's a cross-country road trip where the destination is either the White House or a therapist's office.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Advanced

Brinksmanship

The diplomatic strategy of pushing a situation to the absolute edge of disaster and then hoping someone blinks first. It's a game of chicken played with nuclear arsenals and national economies instead of cars.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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Bipartisanship

The noble ideal of both parties working together harmoniously, which occurs in practice about as often as a politician admits they were wrong. It's the political equivalent of a unicorn: beautiful in concept, invisible in reality.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Intermediate

Ballot Measure

A question on the ballot written in language so confusing that voting "yes" might mean "no" and nobody is entirely sure. It's democracy's version of a terms-and-conditions agreement that you have to read before clicking accept.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Intermediate

Congressional Recess

The period when Congress takes a break from not getting things done in Washington to not get things done in their home districts. It's like summer vacation but for adults who technically never finished their homework.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Beginner

hardball politics

Aggressive, sometimes ruthless political tactics that prioritize winning over collegiality or fairness. It's chess if chess players could publicly destroy their opponent's reputation between moves.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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