LOBBYING AND GR-PRACTICES IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE BALTIC STATES: THE POLITICAL-SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

This article analyzes the phenomenon of lobbying as a form of communication of public authorities, business and socio-political actors. The article based on the evaluation results of a poll presents a generalized picture of the functioning of lobbyists on the political landscape, disclosed the specifics of the use of GR-tech lobbyists at national and supranational level in the European Union. Analyzed data from a sociological study of the impact of information on the effectiveness of management decision-making by lobbyists in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, evaluate the effectiveness of various political aktor-lobbyists. The system of power in the EU multi-level, lobbying is carried out with a strong competition between different interest groups. By the way, the Russian business poorly informed about the possibilities and mechanisms to defend their interests at EU level and does not use this tool. Institutes of the EU authorities, is the center of the work of lobbyists are the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the European Commission. With regard to professional lobbying transparency of the process, about one in four out of five respondents said that business, trade associations and professional organizations are transparent in their approach to the process of political and administrative lobbying, while only one in five said this factor in relation to companies. Respondents clearly express support for democratization and openness of the political process, which is transparent to the various representatives and interest groups, and the lobbyists are expected to be open about their interests represented. It is not clear defined interests or lack of transparency called the most negative aspect of lobbying. Thus, many experts noted that the successful lobbying can change the state of the social environment and the socio-political relations. When both unsuccessful lobbying ends only negative publications in mass media and information noise. The analysis  conducted in the article shows that concerns about the transparency of the lobbying process gave way to other concerns:  that the information provided is not neutral and engaged by certain  pressure groups, and that lobbying pays excessive attention to the  interests of elites and wealthy segments of the population (this view  supports every third respondent ). However, with respect to the  positive aspects of the lobbying process, respondents clearly  indicated to ensure the participation of representatives of business groups and socio-economic sphere of citizens in the political process  (half of the respondents) and the use of relevant technical and  scientific information corresponding to the needs of lobbyists and  interest groups to information (supports every third respondent). Thus, summing up the above, it should be noted that the question of which groups meet the definition of “lobbyist” sixty respondents  called trade associations, among others, the most popular answers were the agency to influence the public policy (58%) and professional organizations (57%). Non-governmental organizations were called lobbyists more than half of respondents (51%), and the company – less than half (47%). Trade unions are considered lobbyists only 40% of respondents.

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