Democracy: the concept, principles, types and forms. Signs of Democracy

Quite a long time in the literature has repeatedly expressed the idea that the consequence of the development of statehood will naturally and inevitably become democracy. The concept was interpreted as a natural state, which will occur immediately at a certain stage, regardless of the assistance or resistance of individual individuals or their associations. The very first to use the term ancient Greek thinkers. Let us consider in detail what democracy is (the basic concepts).

Terminology

Democracy is a concept introduced into practice by the ancient Greeks. Literally it means "the power of the people". It is a form of government that involves the participation of citizens in it, their equality before the norms of legislation, the granting of certain political freedoms and rights to the individual. In the classification proposed by Aristotle, this state of society expressed the "power of all" than it differed from the aristocracy and the monarchy.

Democracy: the concept, types and forms

This state of society is considered in several meanings. So, democracy is a concept expressing the way of organization and work of state bodies and non-governmental organizations. It also refers to the established legal regime and type of state. When they say that the country is democratic, they mean the presence of all these meanings. The state has a number of distinctive features. They include:

1. Recognition of the people as the highest source of power.
2. Elected key government agencies.
3. Equality of citizens, first of all, in the process of their exercising their electoral rights.
4. Subordination of the minority to the majority in the course of decision-making.

Democracy (the concept, types and forms of this institution) was studied by different scientists. As a result of the analysis of theoretical positions and practical experience, thinkers came to the conclusion that this state of society can not exist without the state. In the literature, the concept of direct democracy is singled out. It involves the exercise of will by the people through elected bodies. They are, in particular, local power structures, parliaments, etc. The concept of direct democracy presupposes the realization of the will of the population or specific social associations through elections, referendums, and assemblies. In this case, citizens themselves solve these or other issues. However, this is far from all the external manifestations that characterize democracy. The concept and types of the institution can be considered in the context of certain spheres of life: social, economic, cultural and so on.

State character

Many authors, explaining what democracy is, the concept, the characteristics of this institution is characterized by a certain system. First of all, they indicate belonging to the state regime. This is manifested in the delegation of the authorities to the state bodies. Citizens participate in the management of affairs directly or through elective structures. The population can not realize all the power that belongs to it independently. Therefore, it delegates some of its powers to state bodies. Electivity of authorized structures is another manifestation of the state character of democracy. In addition, it is expressed in the ability of the authorities to influence the activities and behavior of citizens, subordinate them to the management of the social sphere.

The notion of political democracy

This institution, like the market economy, can not exist without competition. In this case, we are talking about a pluralistic system and the opposition. This is manifested in the fact that democracy, the concept and forms of the institution, in particular, form the basis of party programs in their struggle for state power. With this state of society, the diversity of existing opinions, ideological approaches to solving pressing issues is taken into account. Under democracy, state censorship and dictatorship are excluded. The legislation enshrines provisions guaranteeing pluralism. These include the right to choose, secret ballot, etc. The concept, the principles of democracy are based, first of all, on the equality of citizens' electoral rights . It gives an opportunity to choose between different options, directions of development.

Guarantee of rights realization

The concept of democracy in society is associated with legal capacities of each citizen, fixed at the legislative level, in different spheres of life. In particular, we are talking about economic, social, civil, cultural and other rights. Together with this, duties for citizens are also established. Legality acts as a regime of socio-political life. It manifests itself in the establishment of requirements to all subjects, first of all, to state bodies. The latter should be created and acted on the basis of a steady and strict implementation of existing norms. Each state body, an official, must have only the necessary scope of powers. Democracy is a concept that is connected with the mutual responsibility of citizens and the state. It presupposes the establishment of a requirement to refrain from actions that violate freedoms and rights, create obstacles for the fulfillment of obligations by the participants in the system.

Functions

In explaining the concept of democracy, it is necessary to say separately about the tasks that the given institute implements. Functions are key areas of influence on social relations. Their goal is to increase the activity of the population in the management of public affairs. The concept of democracy is associated not with the static, but with the dynamic state of society. In this connection, the functions of the Institute underwent certain changes during certain periods of historical development. At present, researchers divide them into two groups. The former reveal the connection with social relations, the latter - express the internal tasks of the state. Among the most significant functions of the Institute should be:

1. Organizational and political.
2. Regulatory-compromise.
3. Socially stimulating.
4. Constituent.
5. Control.
6. Protective.

Social relations

Relationship with them reflect the first three functions mentioned above. Political power in the state is organized on a democratic basis. Within the framework of this activity, self-organization of the population (self-government) is envisaged. It acts as a source of state power and is expressed in the presence of appropriate links between actors. The regulatory and compromise function is to ensure the pluralism of the activities of the participants in the relations in the framework of cooperation, consolidation and concentration around the interests of the population and the state of different forces. As a legal means to ensure this function, the legal status of subjects is settled. In the process of developing and making decisions, only a democracy can have a socially stimulating effect on the state. The concept and forms of this institution ensure the optimal service of power to the population, the recording and application of public opinion, citizens' activity. This is manifested, in particular, in the ability of citizens to participate in referendums, to send letters, statements and so on.

Governmental tasks

The concept of "representative democracy" is associated with the ability of the population to form state authorities and territorial self-government. This is done by voting. Elections in a democratic state are secret, universal, equal and direct. Ensuring the work of state bodies within their competence in accordance with the requirements of legislation is carried out through the implementation of the control function. It also presupposes accountability of all parts of the country's administration apparatus. One of the key is the protective function of democracy. It presupposes the provision of security, protection of dignity and honor, freedoms and rights of the individual, property forms, suppression and prevention of violations of law by state bodies.

Initial Requirements

They are the principles on which the democratic regime is based. Recognition by the international community is conditioned by the desire to strengthen the anti-totalitarian position. The key principles are:

1. Freedom to choose social order and government. The people have the right to change and determine the constitutional order. The primary importance is freedom.
2. Equal rights of citizens. It means that all people have duties to observe the law, the rights and interests of others. All are responsible for violations, are entitled to protection in court. The Constitution guarantees the observance of equality. Norms prohibit privileges or restrictions on race, gender, religious, political beliefs, social, property status, place of residence, origin, language, and so on.
3. Electivity of state bodies and their constant interaction with the population. This principle presupposes the formation of structures of power and territorial self-government through the people's will. It ensures changeability, control, equal opportunity for every citizen to exercise his right to vote.
4. Separation of powers. It involves mutual dependence and restriction of various directions: judicial, executive, legislative. This prevents the transformation of power into a tool for the suppression of equality and freedom.
5. Decision-making by the will of the majority while respecting the rights of the minority.
6. Pluralism. It means the diversity of social phenomena. Pluralism helps to expand the circle of political choice. It presupposes a plurality of parties, associations, opinions.

Ways to realize the will of the population

Functions of democracy are carried out through its institutions and forms. There are quite a few of the latter. Forms of democracy are seen as its external expression. The key ones are:

1. Participation of citizens in the management of social and public affairs. It is realized through representative democracy. In this case, power is exercised through the identification of the will of persons authorized by the people in elected bodies. Citizens can participate in the administration directly (through a referendum, for example).
2. Creation and operation of the system of state bodies on the basis of publicity, legality, succession, electivity, division of powers. These principles prevent abuse of social authority and official position.
3. Legal, first of all, the constitutional fixing of the system of freedoms, duties and rights of a citizen and a person, ensuring their protection in accordance with established international standards.

Institutes

They are legal and legitimate components of the system, directly forming a democratic regime through the implementation of the initial requirements. As a prerequisite for the legality of any institution is its legal design. Legitimacy is provided by public recognition and organizational structure. Institutions can differ in their initial designation when solving urgent government tasks. In particular, they distinguish:

1. Structural institutions. These include parliamentary commissions, parliamentary sessions, etc.
2. Functional institutes. They are voters' orders, public opinion, etc.

Depending on the legal significance, institutions are distinguished:

1. Imperative. They have universally binding, final value for officials, state bodies, citizens. Such institutions are legislative and constitutional referenda, selective punishments, elections and so on.
2. Advisory. They have an advisory value for political structures. Such institutions are advisory referendum, nationwide discussion, questioning, meetings, etc.

Self management

It is based on independent regulation, organization and activities of participants in civil relations. The population establishes certain rules and norms of behavior, carries out organizational actions. The people have the right to make decisions and implement them. Within the framework of self-government, the subject and the object of activity coincide. This means that participants recognize the power of only their own association. Self-management is based on the principles of equality, freedom, participation in administration. This term, as a rule, is used relative to several levels of association of people:

1. To the whole society as a whole. In this case, they speak of public self-government.
2. To individual territories. In this case, local and regional self-government takes place.
3. To concrete manufactures.
4. To public associations.

The power of the people as a social value

Democracy has always been understood and interpreted in various ways. However, it is certain that, as a legal and political value, it has become an integral component of the organization of the world. Meanwhile, there is no such final stage in which all its subjects would be satisfied. A person who experiences restrictions, enters into a dispute with the state, not finding in the legislation of justice. The conflict arises when the inequality of merit and natural abilities is not taken into account, there is no recognition depending on experience, skill, maturity, etc. The aspiration to justice can not be fully satisfied. There must be a constant awakening of the will in the society, the development of the desire to express one's opinion, views, and activity. The intrinsic value of democracy is expressed through its social significance. It, in turn, consists in service for the benefit of the individual, the state, the society. Democracy promotes the establishment of a correspondence between the really effective and formally proclaimed principles of equality, freedom, justice. It ensures their implementation in the state and social life. The system of democracy combines social and power principles. It contributes to the formation of an atmosphere of harmony between the interests of the state and the individual, and the achievement of a compromise between the actors. Under the democratic regime, the participants in the relationship recognize the benefits of partnership and solidarity, harmony and peace. The instrumental value of the institution is manifested through its functional purpose. Democracy is a way of solving state and public affairs. It allows you to participate in the creation of state bodies and local authorities, independently organize movements, trade unions, parties, provide protection from illegal actions. Democracy presupposes control over the activities of elected institutions and other subjects of the system. The personal value of the institution is expressed through the recognition of individual rights. They are formally fixed in normative acts, they are actually provided through the formation of material, spiritual, legal and other guarantees. Within the framework of the democratic regime, responsibility for non-fulfillment of duties is provided. Democracy does not act as a means of achieving personal ambitious goals by infringing on the freedoms, interests, rights of others. For those people who are ready to recognize the autonomy of the individual and his responsibility, this institution forms the best opportunities for realizing existing humanistic values: social creativity, justice, equality and freedom. At the same time, the participation of the state in the process of providing guarantees and protecting the interests of the population is also of undoubted importance. This is its main function in a democratic society.