Ochlocracy is ... Ochlocracy as a form of power

Okhlokratia is a form of state structure that is generally considered a degenerating democracy. This is an intermediate form that exists after the fall of the old state system and until a new one is established.

Ochlocracy is characterized by insurgencies, street riots and rallies, during which anarchism is propagated. In this regard, this form of government is usually called the power of the crowd.

A bit of history

Okhlokratiya is the power of the crowd and the mob. This is how the ancient Greek historian Polybius described this form of power . He believed that this is the worst version of the state system. Aristotle, in turn, describes this phenomenon as a democracy. At the same time, he noted that the people are not capable of making rational decisions. As a result, educated leaders were removed from power, anarchy and despotism were established.

Many scientists have considered the phenomenon of ochlocracy. This is certainly a negative point, but it can be assessed only on historical examples. So, for example, signs of ochlocracy are traced in the French Revolution, as well as the first years after the arrival of Soviet power. And even in the Roman Empire there were some elements of this form of power. This was manifested in the fact that the army itself overthrew and appointed monarchs.

The main signs of ochlocracy

Ochlocracy is one of the most controversial forms of government. It has such basic features:

• Social and political groups come to power;
• Populist sentiments and primitive ideas are imposed on society;
• Lawlessness and arbitrariness in all spheres of public life;
• Deliberately create conditions for riots;
• The trampling of the value of human life;
• Crisis phenomena in the economy and other spheres.

Modern ochlocracy

The ideal of the state system of modernity is democracy. Ochlocracy as an independent phenomenon is practically not considered, but some of its signs are sometimes traced. Moreover, ochlocracy complements many democratic regimes. Most often this happens in times of crisis.

Democracy-ochlocracy emerges when old political norms have outlived themselves, and nothing new has been proposed to society. The crowd, fueled by the populist speeches of some adventurous leaders, requires a change in policy. The peculiarity of modern ochlocracy is that public discontent is mainly created artificially through scandals and provocations.

The main driving force is the social strata, dissatisfied with the current situation. As a rule, these are ordinary people, on whom socio-economic problems are most pressing. Against this background, new leaders appear, as well as spontaneous organizations that often engage in criminal activities.

Operating principle

The main authority of ochlocracy is an angry mob. The "worst" rules are governed by such basic principles:

• The intelligentsia and other educated people become disagreeable, subject to expulsion, humiliation or physical destruction.
• Strict prohibition of printed publications, speeches, works of art and other sources of information that promote ideas to the masses that are supported by the ruling elites.
• Substitution of concepts. As a result, what was previously considered honorable and best becomes unacceptable and shameful.
• Formation of groups of easily managed people who will perform the function of terror, persecution or physical destruction of dissenters. And, this includes not only an ideological population. Many take part in the riots on a contract basis.
• The widespread use of violence, which is performed by a dissatisfied crowd, but provoked and directed by leaders.
• Impunity becomes synonymous with freedom. Thus, those actions that were previously considered criminal, acquire a legal coloring under the guise of high ideas of social justice.

Modern manifestations

Okhlokratiya is the power of the crowd. However wild it may sound, this phenomenon has a place in the modern world. Manifestations can be as follows:

• A color revolution is an artificially created situation, as a result of which an unhappy crowd becomes an instrument in achieving certain goals. The indignation of the people is accumulated in spontaneous protests, which are provoked and financed by external forces. Such phenomena are especially common in the post-Soviet space.
• A multi-party system is also a specific form of ochlocracy. So, in the 1990s there were several thousand political associations. As a result, a large number of people accessed the power, which pursued selfish goals, rather than guided by high political ideas.
• The destructive vertical results in certain parts of the state seeking independence. The most striking example is the USSR after perestroika. But in modern Russia there were precedents for declaring independence by some republics.

What is the danger of ochlocracy?

Ochlocracy as a form of power is a rather dangerous phenomenon. It sows chaos, devastation and lawlessness, which brings a lot of disasters to the life of the population of the country. Citizens' rights and freedoms are no longer guaranteed. And even elementary security can not be ensured.

As for the state itself, with the advent of okhlocracy, its sovereignty and existence are threatened. This form of power symbolizes the collapse and crisis of the political order.

Conclusion

Summarizing, it is worth saying that ochlocracy has long ceased to be simply the power of the crowd. This is the way the marginal layers realize their ambitions. There are also mercantile aims of certain representatives of the ruling elites. Fertile soil for this is the lack of a healthy concept of development of the state and clear goals.