ETHIC OF A LOBBYIST POLITICIAN - A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

First glimpse at the lobbyist ethic shows that it is rooted in, inter alia, skepticism that accompanies the legal regulations of lobbying. The regulations that are binding in the US, despite their rather long tradition, have not succeeded to prevent scandals which every now and occur there. As a result, the public debate in the US as well as many other states concerns the need for a facility that would allow a clear and open process of decision making in democratic systems. Ethic dilemmas arise when the actions o f those who influence politicians challenge such fundamental democratic values as honesty and integrity, openness and the common good. The most unethical and illegal lobbying practice that impairs integrity is buying decisions of politicians that satisfy the lobbyist’s client. A possible manner in which honesty might be enforced would be to register and keep open contacts between lobbyists and politicians and report on them periodically. In the context o f the common good, the actions carried out by lobbyists resemble those of barristers. The latter, however, stand before and impartial judge, while the actions of lobbyists representing interests of influential groups are not monitored by those representing social interests