Lobby - representatives of various groups that influence parliamentarians in the adoption of laws favorable to these groups. Political Lobby in Russia

When a person from afar observes the lawmaking activity, it is rather difficult to understand what exactly is happening in the parliament. Public decisions are issued, sometimes accompanied by expert judgment. But the fact that representatives of various groups that influence parliamentarians are engaged in a constant, continuous, irreconcilable battle, remains in defaults. Let's see how and why this happens. At the same time we will find out what the political lobby is.

Definition

Any scientific concept is accepted to begin to study with a concretization of its meaning. According to the dictionaries, representatives of various groups that influence parliamentarians are called the beautiful foreign word "lobby". The meaning of their activities is to provide directed pressure on the authorities. These people are hired by groups of businessmen. They are given a goal. That's what they are practicing, using the legally approved methods. It should be noted at once that not in all states the lobby policy is official. But it is present to some extent everywhere. It is an excellent means to change the direction of the detail of the legislature in its own interests. Let us give an example. Hypothetically, it is beneficial for gasoline producers to increase sales of individual cars. But only those that work on the produced fuel. But they are categorically not satisfied with the development of alternative energy, including the production of electric motors. But society does not stand still (in any country). There are different ideas, people are trying to turn them into production and make a profit. In order not to incur losses, our gas tycoons are compelled to press on the parliament in order to prevent financing of programs in the field of alternative energy. For this they need specialists. Here they are called a complex expression "representatives of various groups that influence parliamentarians."

The appearance of the lobby in politics

It should be noted that they came up with this kind of activity in America. This is the product of a real liberal economy. In the United States, specialized agencies and offices engaged in lobbying are opened. They are hired by large and not very corporations so that their interests are represented in the congress. After all, the profit of enterprises often depends on the country's legislation. If you look at the translation of the word "lobbyism", it means literally "lobby". Therefore, it describes personal contacts with deputies (other people participating in decision-making) with the aim of changing their opinion in the right direction. Various political means are used for this. Lobby in politics was used almost always. But, in an undeveloped democracy, it was an illegal activity. Remember the USSR. In the same place, too, the leaders of large enterprises fought for state orders and other preferences from the budget. However, in the legislative field, such a concept did not exist.

Types of lobby

The activities of specialists who are able to change decisions are needed in various areas of life, not only in the economy. Therefore, it is customary to subdivide this work into spheres. So, they say about the lobby, when it is necessary:

• Promote the interests of a certain group in power structures;
• Press on those who make public decisions, for the purposes of any organization, personality, movement.

In addition, this concept is included in the structure of the system of political relationships in society. It should be added that representatives of various groups that influence parliamentarians do not always go in legal ways. It's no secret that bribery, personal connections, the provision of services or preferences can be used in the course. But society is developing in the direction of the legitimate use of lobbying. If the phenomenon objectively exists, why struggle with it?

Pressure Methods

We will consider only those activities of lobbyists that do not face the law. There are several of them. To begin with, the deputy is an elected office. Consequently, public opinion is important for this person. The deputy unwillingly focuses on his constituents. This is successfully used by lobbyists. They appeal to representatives of the government on behalf of citizens. For this, as a rule, a special document is drawn up. In addition, there is an opportunity to organize mass appeals to the parliament from voters. This is an organized, purposeful work. If such a method does not give visible results, the lobbyists go further. They organize mass actions of citizens, forming their demands. For example, they did so several times in Ukraine. The masses were sent using popular slogans. And the results of this activity were enjoyed by those who "ordered music". Media lobbying is often used in lobbying. Special publications, articles, programs are ordered.

Lobby in Russia

It is believed that in Russia this type of activity is of a social nature. It is used to introduce democratic principles into society, to involve the people in solving state problems. It is important in this regard to highlight the information function of lobbyists. This is a new phenomenon for Russia. After all, decisions were made "behind closed doors". Now lobbyists attract ordinary citizens to this, informing them about the problems and possible solutions. This raises the level of democratization of society.

Lobbying functions

It is important for society to correctly perceive this type of activity. If we reject its negative aspects, we will find in it a lot of useful. After lobbying promotes coordination of interests of various groups. Active activity to "push" certain decisions, carried out in public, gives rise to a response in society that helps to balance the needs and needs of both customers and the public. After all, the adoption of political decisions is a living process. The more participants in it, the more balanced will be the result. In addition, lobbyists unwittingly contribute to the realization of the people's civil rights. Interacting with them, people participate in public life of the state.

Lobbyism as an instrument

Correctly applied, this process also contributes to the creation of counterbalances in society. The more active citizens are involved in it, the more useful is lobbying for the state. It helps to harmoniously take into account the interests of various strata of the population when creating laws. After all, everyone has their own goals and objectives. Sometimes they come into conflict. Public and wide coverage of opinions and views can smooth out acute angles, develop an acceptable direction of development. In addition, lobbying also fulfills the opposite goal. It presses on officials and people's representatives, creates conditions under which the government implements the principle of openness and accountability to the people.

disadvantages

Unfortunately, in many countries, lobbyists are more often involved in issues of property and legal nature. They are instructed to promote ideas related to the distribution of sources of financial income, material wealth, natural resources, quotas, preferences and other. Such activities are rarely public. That creates the ground for the flourishing of corruption. Sometimes, lobbying is associated with manifestations of social injustice. This is due to inequality in the level of solvency of customers. Agree, business representatives have more opportunities than an ordinary person. Legislative activity of parliamentarians is directed, including to clear the institution of lobbyism from shortcomings, to make it an ideal social tool. And as it will turn out, we will see!