Final answer:
The political and legal environment is an important controllable element for international marketers, as they have the ability to lobby and influence legislation. Political factors can affect public policies, including trade liberalization and protectionist measures, depending on the interests and concerns of governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political and legal environment is a controllable element for international marketers because of their potent ability to lobby and influence legislation in foreign markets. Political factors, both domestic and international, play a significant role in shaping public policies. For example, international agreements can serve as a political counterweight to domestic special interests, preventing protectionist measures, and promoting trade liberalization. However, there are also concerns, such as the evasion of environmental protection laws by multinational firms or the dependency on key imported products, which may lead governments to restrict imports to protect national interests.