Lobbying is what? Technologies and forms of lobbying

Lobbying is an integral part of modern political and economic life. What are its causes, features and consequences, we will discuss in this article.

The concept of lobbying

The term lobbying is a concept borrowed from the English language. It comes from the name of the passing part of the building - lobby, and in general means "lobby". It is there, where politicians come into contact with strangers, you can talk about your interests and find patrons. In the political system, lobbying is traditionally understood as a mechanism for influencing parliamentarians with a view to accepting or rejecting the necessary legislative act.

In the broadest sense, the well-known Chartists movement (the workers advocating the adoption of a charter) in England can also be called lobbying, but with the only difference is that legitimate pressure on the representative power by public opinion is not only normal, but also useful. Unfortunately, in the modern world, various forms of lobbying flourish, which otherwise can not be called corrupt or criminal. In addition, lobbying has significantly expanded its field of activity, including in the sphere of its interests representatives of both executive and judicial authorities.

Reasons for lobbying

Promotion and protection of the interests of certain economic groups in the parliament are due to the fact that the economy is becoming more dependent on state decisions, development trends and support of certain enterprises.

Lobbying is not a new phenomenon. It is known that it flourished in England several centuries ago. Today, in many countries, this is a legitimate activity that is practiced by both single professionals and entire companies. They are addressed by groups of entrepreneurs who receive consultations and establish contacts with representatives of the executive and legislative branches.

Direct lobbying

The existing technologies of lobbying can be divided into two large groups. The first include direct ways to protect economic interests through a direct, personal connection with politicians. These can be personal meetings or visits by politicians of firms, banks, exhibitions, production, the organization of business meetings, symposiums, various conferences.

Direct lobbying is carried out through the transfer of certain information that should persuade lawmakers to accept or reject the necessary legal acts, conduct expert examinations and research. At the same time, the main task is to persuade politicians in their own way with the help of serious arguments and get support from them in the form of certain state decisions and even policy directions.

Indirect forms of lobbying

Unlike direct lobbying, the indirect happens indirectly, bypassing personal contacts with the right politicians. To implement it, you need at least as much professionalism, analysis of the political and economic situation. The first intermediary in this kind of activity, of course, is the press. It's not for nothing that the media are called the fourth branch of power. The dissemination of information in the right direction through the media affects first of all public opinion and shapes public consciousness. So there is a multiple increase in pressure on politicians in order to get the expected result. It happens indirectly, without personal direct pressure or persuasion. Civilized lobbying is also a search for allies who are also interested in a certain outcome of the matter and can help in representing common interests, creating public organizations, etc. In the West, lobbyism is viewed as an immediate part of civil society that protects public interests before the state and seeks Concessions of the latter.

Shadow lobbying

All of the above describe the forms by which a legitimate, state-sanctioned lobbying of interests is carried out. This is the reality with which society has reconciled and even learned how to earn money on it.

But there are methods based on the use of criminal methods. In the broadest sense of the word, they are called shadow. These include blackmail, threats, pressure and, of course, bribery. It can be concluded that civilized lobbyism is built on the power of persuasion, and shadow on coercion or profit. It will be unnecessary to remind that the latter is prosecuted by law. In life, it's hard to see where the line between crime and legitimate lobbying lies. So, in some states of North America, lobbyists should officially register their political demands. This transparency allows controlling possible ways of putting pressure on political opponents.

The Lockheed case

The Lockheed case is one of the most high-profile recent processes, showing how illegal lobbying of interests occurs. What it is? This is a loud scandal involving the purchase by Japanese government of the liners of the American firm Lockheed. According to technical indicators and safety parameters, they were significantly inferior to European ones, although their cost was at the "European" level. Why did the Japanese go to such a disadvantageous deal? In 1976, the facts of giving large bribes to government officials in Japan became known, and a sum of two million dollars was announced. The corruption charge was brought to the Prime Minister of the Land of the Rising Sun of Tanaka. The conviction was pronounced in 1983, but the defendant immediately appealed to him. In general, the process dragged on until the death of the suspect, that is, until the beginning of the 90s of the last century. The most interesting thing is that for a long time after the accusation Tanako was engaged in political activities. This incident became an encyclopedic example of the use of shadow methods of lobbying in the higher echelons of power.

PR

One of the sections of the PR-service is responsible not only for communication with the society in a broad sense, but also for establishing relations with the power structures of different levels and branches of power. Such activities of the so-called GR-managers are akin to lobbying. They organize meetings with government officials, provide a social image of business projects of various firms. And, of course, they participate in election campaigns, nurturing far-reaching plans for long-term cooperation with the politician. Many large Russian companies have since the mid-1990s started organizing such departments at their firms. In some European countries the term "lobbyist" is not used at all because of negative coloring of public perception. And yet there is a difference in the work of a PR man and a lobbyist.

The difference in the activities of lobbyists and GR-managers

A lobbyist in the modern world is a "free artist". This is different from the GR-manager, working for a certain firm and receiving a salary. His earnings are much higher, since he has the form of a fee or a percentage of concluded deals. The lobbyist can work with several clients, which he chooses himself, and the manager defends the interests of his campaign only. The most important difference between the profession of a lobbyist and the related and similar is the political coloring of their activities. PR specialists, first of all, perform economic functions.

Some conclusions

Lobbying is a broad concept that in the modern world is viewed as a political mechanism whose task is to establish relations of certain business structures with representatives of power with the aim of promoting and protecting the interests of economic groups.

Lobbying is akin to many modern professions, for example, a consultant for relations with the government or a PR manager. That is why there is confusion about the content of this term. The townsfolk understand it as defending interests, something akin to the work of a lawyer. Some specialists singled out this activity as one of the technologies of public relations departments (PR). Nevertheless, most researchers agree on the specifics of lobbying as a separate activity, especially in a market economy and capitalism. Large capitals and firms are interested in establishing contacts with politicians, as well as the latter with them.

Summing up: lobbying - what is it? Mutually beneficial, two-way traffic towards each other. Lobbyists are only mediators, those who help to find common points of contact and establish contacts.