THE PHENOMENON OF LOBBYING: INTERPRETATION OF THE NATURE AND MODELS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of lobbying as actual practice in a pluralistic society, as a complex, modern institution of the political system, which provides a mechanism and tools for the influence of interested groups on decision-making by power structures. Competition between groups in lobbying interests is represented by a condition that ensures freedom and justice without recourse to the concepts of "social interest", "public interest" or "common good". With the help of theoretical and conceptual studies focused on the mechanisms of collective actions of interested groups and interest groups, it is shown that political decisions in modern public systems are no longer the prerogative of official institutions of power, but are the result of a compromise of groups. Lobbying has acquired indicators that are characteristic of institutions that are involved in the decision-making process, and the structures of the organization of lobbying activities reflect the current structure of political interest. It is shown that the historical development of lobbying activities and forms of interpretation of lobbying practices in various socio-political systems developed in the context of the logic of the formation of the socio-political system. The analysis of current regional models of lobbying activity, formed in different socio-political conditions, reflects the nature of the interaction between interest groups in society and demonstrates dependence on the structures of political interest, providing information about who and how transforms it into political decisions and actions. The British-American model of individualized lobbying, formed as a result of the symbiosis of political activity and business, is presented; the continental European model of corporate representation, formed as a result of changes in the rules of the game between business and the state; the Eastern European model of institutionally controlled lobbying with elements of  "clientelism". The center of gravity in matters of regulation of lobbying practices has certain options. If in the British model the regulatory process concerns, first of all, politicians (the object of lobbying), then in the American model the lobbyists themselves and the market for lobbying services are subject to state regulation. It is emphasized that the normative indicator of the intensity and effectiveness of lobbying activity is the ability of the political system to solve systemic challenges, which is understood as the number and quality of access points available in it, using which interest groups can join the decision-making process of state authorities