Final answer:
Competitors are willing to cooperate to form lobbying associations because they share common interests and goals related to their industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Representatives of competing firms are sometimes willing to cooperate in order to form lobbying associations because they share common interests and goals related to their industry. By joining together, competitors can leverage their collective resources and influence to advocate for policies that benefit all of them. For example, trade associations such as the American Beverage Association bring together companies like Coca-Cola and Kraft Foods, who may compete in the market but have common concerns regarding manufacturing, bottling, and distribution of beverages.