Public policy is formed under the influence of many factors, among which political parties, public organizations, and businesses play a key role. These actors have a significant impact on the decision-making process, participate in the development and implementation of strategic directions for the country's development. The interaction between them determines the stability of the political system and the level of democratic development of the state.

According to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Political Parties» dated July 15, 2022, «A political party is a voluntary association of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan that expresses the political will of citizens, various social groups, in order to represent their interests in representative and executive bodies of state power, local self-government and participate in their formation»^[19]».

Political parties are the link between society and the State. As V. D. Zorkin notes, «The Party is born in the bowels of civil society, and in this sense it is an institution of civil society, that is, a structural element of the sphere of private relations that do not depend on state power. But the same party, passing through the procedures of state power elections at different levels-federal, regional, municipal-becomes part of the state power and political system. This means that it requires a state-legal regulatory approach to regulating and evaluating party activities^[20]».

Thesocial essence of political parties consists in identifying the most significant and universally recognized interests from the whole variety of interests of civil society and presenting them at the national level^[21].

The implementation of this process is possible primarily due to the active and systematic participation of political parties in public administration. Their influence is manifested at various levels-from the formation of legislative initiatives to the direct management of executive structures. The forms of such participation are quite diverse and include not only representation in elected government bodies, but also participation in the development and implementation of state policies, personnel appointments, and public control over the activities of state institutions. In most cases, these mechanisms are regulated by legal norms that determine the status of parties, their rights, obligations and the degree of involvement in the state decision-making process.

Political parties are the key institutions of a modern democratic society, differing from other organizations in their main goal-the struggle for power and participation in government. This is achieved through electoral processes, representation in Parliament and government, and active influence on state decision-making.

It should be emphasized that political parties play an important role at various stages of the political process: from the nomination of candidates and election campaigns to participation in legislative activities, public debates and the development of long-term strategies for the country's development. Their constituency-forming supporters are often shaped by ideological preferences, local traditions, and family beliefs. In some countries, political loyalty is passed down from generation to generation, which strengthens the position of certain parties in society.

One of the most important activities of the party is the formation and implementation of its program course aimed at solving current public problems. The party's programs reflect strategic and tactical priorities that determine the directions of socio-economic, political and cultural development.

In the early stages of development, parties perform several key functions. First, they promote political education and integration of new members, involving them in active public life. Second, parties mobilize voters by setting a political agenda and drawing attention to their initiatives. Third, they are engaged in the selection and training of leaders, ensuring their promotion to significant public positions. Thus, political parties not only participate in the governance of the state, but also form a talent pool, on which the future of the political system depends.

A public organization is a non-profit organization established on the basis of membership to protect common interests, achieve statutory goals, and perform other joint activities.

Practice shows that State bodies and political parties are not always able to effectively cope with the tasks assigned to them. In such cases, public organizations become an important tool in finding solutions to current problems, drawing public attention to existing challenges and suggesting possible ways to overcome them.

Public organizations are social entities that perform a number of significant functions:

- contribute to the realization of the right of citizens to participate in the development and adoption of decisions on issues of public importance;

- represent and protect the interests of various social groups, such as large families, veterans of military operations, people with disabilities and other vulnerable categories of the population;

- exercise public control over the observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens, for example, in the field of consumer protection, ensuring the rights of single mothers or the labor rights of employees;

- influence the formation of public opinion by promoting important social initiatives and promoting public dialogue on topical issues.

Types of public organizations:

- human rights organizations are engaged in the protection of human rights, legal assistance to citizens and monitoring of legal violations;

- environmental organizations are focused on protecting the environment, combating climate change, and developing environmentally sustainable practices.

- social organizations provide support to vulnerable groups of the population, such as the disabled, pensioners and the poor;

- professional associations (trade unions) represent the interests of employees in certain fields of activity, promote the standards and ethics of the profession;

- youth organizations promote the development of youth policy and the involvement of young people in social and political life;

- scientific and educational organizations are engaged in education, research and popularization of science;

- cultural and ethnic organizations work to preserve cultural heritage, support national minorities and intercultural dialogue.

Business organizations play an important role in shaping and implementing government policies. Their influence is evident in various areas-from economic development to social policy and international relations. Interaction between business and the state is determined by both objective economic processes and political interests.

The state creates conditions for the development of the economy and entrepreneurship, determining their impact on social life. It is logical that business seeks to participate in the formation of public policy.

First, the State establishes the legal framework for economic activity, ensuring the implementation of agreements and regulating market processes. Secondly, through taxes, environmental regulations, credit rules, and social programs, it forms a market model, regulating the degree of freedom of entrepreneurship. Third, the state is a large consumer, controlling a significant part of GDP, which makes it an important partner for business, especially in the areas of state orders and monopoly purchases. Fourth, businesses need government support abroad – from protecting their property to lobbying for their interests in international agreements. Fifth, the state ensures macroeconomic stability by influencing inflation and unemployment through various economic models, such as Keynesianism and Monetarism. Finally, tax policy determines the relationship between business and government: entrepreneurs are both a source of state revenue and are interested in reducing the tax burden.

These factors form various models of interaction between business and the state – from pluralistic to rigidly structured («organized capitalism»), which affects the economic growth and development of society.

A pluralistic model.

In this system, the state performs more of an arbitration function, ensuring equal conditions for various interest groups, including business, trade unions, public organizations and civil society. The state does not give preference to specific companies or sectors. Business communities compete for political influence through open democratic mechanisms (lobbying, public consultation). Politics is formed as a result of a compromise between different interests. This model is developed, for example, in the United, States, Great Britain, and other countries.

The corporate model.

This model assumes institutionalized forms of interaction between business and the state. The state actively involves large corporations and trade unions in the development of economic policy, often forming three-way structures (state-business-trade unions). The state coordinates market processes by negotiating with major economic actors, and business associations are actively involved in politics. This model provides a predictable and stable business environment. The model is typical for Germany, Sweden and Austria.

Statist model (state capitalism).

The state plays a leading role in the economy, defining strategic directions of development and actively intervening in market processes. Large state-owned enterprises co-exist with private businesses. The state regulates and controls key sectors of the economy (energy, transport, finance). Economic policy is aimed at long-term strategic goals. For example, in China, Russia and Singapore.

The oligarchic model.

In this system, business does not just interact with the state, but merges with it. Public policy is largely determined by the interests of a limited circle of influential entrepreneurs who use political connections to promote their interests. The main economic decisions are made by a narrow circle of individuals. The dominance of individual corporations that can influence laws and regulations. This model exists in some countries of Latin America, post-Soviet states.

Organized capitalism.

This is the most rigidly structured model, in which the state and big business act as a single mechanism. Here, the state does not just regulate the economy, but is actually its co-manager. High degree of coordination between the state and business. Large corporations are integrated into the public administration system. The state has a significant influence on investment decisions. For example, Japan in the XX century, South Korea in the period of industrialization.

Models of interaction between business and the state are very different, determining the level of economic freedom, competitiveness and pace of development of countries. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of a particular form of interaction depends on the specific historical and political context.

Thus, the role of political parties, public organizations, and businesses in public policy is indisputable. They form the agenda, influence the decisions of the authorities and determine the strategic vectors of the country's development. The optimal balance between these actors ensures the stability of the political system and contributes to the democratic development of society.

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^[19] Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Political Parties» dated July 15, 2022. https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=1032141. Accessed on 22.02.2025.

^[20] Zorkin V. D. Legal Foundations of Russian Multiparty System and the Practice of the Constitutional Court / V. D. Zorkin // International Conference "Political Parties in a Democratic Society: Legal Foundations of Organization and Activity" (St. Petersburg, September 27–28, 2012). – Moscow: Norma, 2013. – pp. 22–44.

^[21] Lugovskaya M. L. Legal Regulation of Political Parties' Participation in the Electoral Process in the Russian Federation: Dissertation for the Degree of Candidate of Legal Sciences / M. L. Lugovskaya. – Moscow, 2003. – 187 p.