The development of any state is a process that can consist of a variety of components. It involves the authorities to solve a variety of problems, the participation of a wide range of actors. The same can be said about one of the aspects of state building - the development of the political system. It also lines up in the process. What may be its characteristics?
What is a political process?
We study the concept of the political process. What could be its definition? In Russian science, such is understood as a sequence of events, phenomena and actions that characterize the relationships between various entities - people, organizations, authorities - in the field of politics.
The process under consideration can take place at different levels and in different areas of society. So, for example, it can characterize communication between entities within the same authority or the entire state system, take place at the municipal, regional or federal level.
The concept of the political process may imply a rather broad interpretation of the corresponding term. Moreover, each of its interpretations may mean the formation of independent categories within the framework of the phenomenon under consideration. Thus, there are various types of political processes that can be characterized by significant dissimilarity. Consider this feature in more detail.
Classification of Political Processes
In order to investigate the types of political processes, it is first necessary to determine the possible grounds for classifying this phenomenon. What criteria can be applied here?
In Russian science, there is a widespread approach according to which the political process can be subdivided into domestic political and foreign political - depending on what the essence of the key actors directly affecting its course is.
Another basis for the classification of political processes is their classification as voluntary or controlled. Here, the described phenomenon is considered in the aspect of the characteristics of the mechanisms of participation of subjects in the respective communications.
There are such forms of the political process as open and shadow. The key criterion here is the publicity of the subjects influencing the corresponding phenomena.
There are revolutionary and evolutionary types of political processes. The key criterion in this case is the time period during which certain changes are realized at the level of communication of the subjects, and in many cases the methods by which they are implemented.
Political processes are also divided into stable and volatile. In this case, it matters how stable and predictable the behavior of subjects that influence the course of the phenomenon in question can be.
Let us now examine the specifics of the development of political processes within the framework of the noted classification in more detail.
Foreign and domestic political processes
So, the first basis for the classification of the phenomenon under consideration is the attribution of its varieties to foreign policy or domestic policy. The process of the first type involves the participation of entities directly related to the institutions of power and society that operate within a single state. These may be people holding any positions in government bodies, heads of enterprises, public structures, parties or ordinary citizens. The foreign policy process suggests that its course is influenced by entities of foreign origin - heads of state, foreign corporations and institutions.
Some researchers highlight communications that are carried out exclusively at the international level. Thus, the world political process is being formed. The events and phenomena characteristic of him may at the same time affect the state of affairs in individual states - for example, if it comes to discussions regarding the writing off of external debts in relation to a country, or the imposition of sanctions.
Voluntary and controlled processes
The next basis on which certain types of political processes are determined is the classification of the phenomena under consideration as voluntary or controlled. In the first case, it is assumed that entities that influence the course of relevant events act on the basis of personal political will, guided by their beliefs and priorities. This can be expressed, for example, in the participation of people in the election of the head of state. The appearance at them is voluntary, as well as the choice of the candidate. Controlled political processes suggest that the actors influencing them act on the basis of the requirements of the law or, for example, due to administrative pressure from authorized structures. In practice, this can be expressed, for example, in the presence of visas required by one state for the entry of citizens of another: in this way the migration aspect of the international political process is controlled.
Open and shadow processes
The next basis for the classification of the phenomenon under consideration is the classification of its varieties as open or shadow. The political processes of the first type suggest that the subjects that influence it conduct their activities publicly. In most developed countries, this is exactly what happens: in particular, people choose the president from among the candidates that are known to all. The procedures for the election of the head of state are fixed in laws and are available to everyone for review. The president, who was chosen by people, has powers known to all and exercises them. But there are countries in which senior officials are also elected, but real political decisions can be made by non-public actors, the essence of which is not clear to ordinary citizens, and access to relevant information is closed. In the first case, the political process will be open, in the second - shadow.
Revolutionary and evolutionary political processes
Political processes can vary depending on the methods of their implementation by entities of certain activities, as well as the rate of change that characterize certain aspects of communication. Regarding evolutionary processes: methods, as a rule, are based on the provisions of sources of law - laws, decrees, orders. Their change involves the use of rather lengthy parliamentary and administrative procedures. But in case of instability in the state, the sources that predetermine the methods used by the subjects of the political process may be slogans, manifestos, requirements that are not related to existing laws. As a result, events and phenomena that are not characteristic of the first scenario are possible. Thus, a revolutionary political process is being formed. It often happens that significant changes affect the entire structure of government.
Stable and volatile processes
The political process - in society, in power structures, in the international arena - can be characterized by stability or, conversely, by volatility. In the first case, the subjects influencing the relevant events and phenomena will rely on norms and customs, which do not noticeably change for a long time.
In the second scenario, it is possible to refer to sources containing provisions that can be interpreted or changed quite freely due to the preferences of the subjects of the political process.
The structural components of the political process
We now study the structural aspect of the phenomenon under consideration. What are the common theses of Russian researchers regarding this issue? The structure of the political process most often involves the inclusion of the following components:
- subject (authority, social, political structure or a specific citizen, capable of influencing the course of relevant events and phenomena);
- the object (the area of activity of the subject, characterizing the purpose of his actions, priorities, preferences);
- methods on which the subject relies in solving his problems;
- resources at the disposal of the subject of the political process.
We study in more detail the specifics of each of the points noted.
The essence of the subjects of the political process
So, the structure of the political process involves the inclusion of actors in it. These are most often the authorities as independent institutions or specific officials. The political process in Russia, as many researchers note, is characterized by a significant role of the individual in the corresponding sphere of communications. The president can play a key role throughout the state, in the region his head, in the city, the mayor.
Objects of the political process
Their nature may be different. So, some researchers consider economic and political processes in a single context, considering the former a variety of objects for the latter. The development of the national economic system, business, solving the problems of employment of citizens - these problems are relevant for any state.
Accordingly, the goal of the subjects of the political process, who are senior officials, may be to achieve positive results in the relevant areas of work. That is, the economy in this case will be the object of the political process.
Political Process Methods
The essence of the methods in question can also vary significantly. The subject of power, called upon to solve the tasks of modernizing the economic system of the state and other problems, must first of all somehow get his position. In this case, we are talking about methods, relying on which a person will be able to take power into their own hands.
The political process in Russia suggests that these will be elections - at the level of a municipality, region or country as a whole. In turn, the actual solution of problems, for example, on the modernization of the economy will be implemented on the basis of another method - lawmaking. For example, the head of state can initiate the adoption of certain legal acts aimed at stimulating the development of the country's economy.
Political Process Resources
The subject of power may have at his disposal the most effective methods for solving the tasks, however, if he does not have the necessary resources, he will not be able to implement the plans. In what form can the corresponding component of the political process be presented?
First of all, this, of course, is capital. If we talk about politics, it can be budget funds or borrowed funds. The term "resource" can also be interpreted in a slightly different way - as a certain source for maintaining the legitimacy of power. This will not necessarily be finances. Such a resource can be the will of people, citizens of the state. Thus, a sociopolitical process is formed, which involves the constant interaction of power and society. At the same time, by analogy with the financial sector, the resource in this case can be understood as a credit of trust on the part of citizens, which the subject of government should justify.
So, the term “political process” considered by us can be understood, on the one hand, as a set of events and phenomena that are observed at one or another level of communication, and on the other hand, as a category with a complex structure that includes rather dissimilar elements. In turn, the individual components of the political process will also be characterized by complexity, and their essence can be interpreted through a variety of approaches.