It would be a mistake not to admit that lobbying does not concern an individual citizen leading a modest and peaceful lifestyle. Even the fact that alcohol and tobacco, which causes the state billions of dollars in losses every year, is freely available for sale and costs a penny, speaks of the total lobbying of state systems.
The term lobbying comes from the English word lobby, which means lobby. And the corridors, as you know, are utility rooms in the building of the parliaments, intended for the rest of public servants. Thus, the very term lobbying (lobbying) means negotiations and agreements that are hidden from the eyes of journalists and the public. It is difficult to name the exact date of the appearance of lobbying as a phenomenon, but it is known that lobbying has long roots and existed even in the Soviet era. In all cases, lobbyists represent the interests of private corporations or individuals interested in promoting a specific bill. In countries with developed public institutions, lobbyists resort to very cunning and intricate tricks, which include manipulating public opinion through the media, distracting maneuvers in the form of high-profile events unencumbered with high meaning, as well as the direct participation of corrupt officials in the elections and drafting the necessary bills as a consequence.
Lobbying is directly linked to corruption. And, if in countries with an active society lobbyists need to learn tricks, then in states with an amorphous society it is enough to simply give a bribe.
Lobbying and lobbying in Russia
Lobbyism in Russia has two spectra: hidden and open. Open lobbying is carried out through various kinds of associations such as chambers of commerce and industry at the federal and regional levels, unions of manufacturers and associations of service providers. Many know the latest bill restricting freedom of purchase through foreign online stores. This bill was initiated by the Association of e-commerce companies to protect their interests from foreign online stores, offering buyers from Russia to purchase high-quality goods at a very low price. Thus, an example of such a law shows a vivid example of lobbying in Russia, because the rights of buyers were brutally violated due to the sharp rise in the cost of goods. The example of lobbying also looks very clear against the background of the state’s alcohol policy.
Lobbyists always find illogical arguments to justify their actions. For example, citizens are told that restricting the sale of alcohol is a violation of the rights of alcoholics.
After all, beer in Russia is not officially an alcoholic product, despite the fact that this drink contains alcohol. In addition, alcohol in Russia can be sold to people over 18 years of age, that is, practically to children, which is also an example of lobbying for the interests of brewing companies. Latent lobbyism can only be recognized by an absurd bill that violates the rights of ordinary citizens.
