Quite a long time ago in literature, the idea has been repeatedly expressed that the consequence of the development of statehood will naturally and inevitably be democracy. The concept was interpreted as a natural state that will occur immediately at a certain stage, regardless of the assistance or resistance of individual individuals or their associations. The very first began to use the term ancient Greek thinkers. Let us consider in more detail what democracy is (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 state government, which involves the participation of citizens in it, their equality before the norms of the law, and the provision of individual political freedoms and rights. In the classification proposed by Aristotle, this state of society expressed the "power of all", which was different from the aristocracy and the monarchy.
Democracy: concept, types and forms
This state of society is considered in several ways. So, democracy is a concept expressing the way of organization and work of state bodies and non-governmental organizations. It is also called the established legal regime and type of state. When they say that a country is democratic, they mean the presence of all these meanings. The state has a number of distinguishing features. These include:
- Recognition of the people as the highest source of power.
- The election of key government agencies.
- Equality of citizens, first of all, in the process of exercising their voting rights by them.
- Submission of a minority to the majority in decision-making.
Democracy (the concept, types and forms of this institution) has been studied by various scientists. As a result of the analysis of theoretical principles and practical experience, thinkers came to the conclusion that this state of society cannot exist without a state. The literature distinguishes the concept of direct democracy. It involves the exercise of the will of the people through elected bodies. They are, in particular, local power structures, parliaments, etc. The concept of direct democracy implies the realization of the will of the population or specific social associations through elections, referenda, and assemblies. In this case, citizens independently decide certain issues. However, this is far from all the external manifestations that characterize democracy. The concept and types of institutions can be considered in the context of various spheres of life: social, economic, cultural and so on.
State character
Many authors, explaining what democracy is, a concept, the characteristics of this institution are characterized by a specific system. First of all, they indicate belonging to the state regime. This is manifested in the delegation of public authority to state bodies. Citizens participate in the management of affairs directly or through elected structures. The population cannot independently exercise all the power that belongs to it. Therefore, it transfers part of its authority to state bodies. The election of authorized structures is another manifestation of the state nature of democracy. In addition, it is expressed in the ability of the authorities to influence the activities and behavior of citizens, subordinate them to manage the social sphere.
The concept of political democracy
This institution, like a market economy, cannot 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 the programs of parties 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. Legislation enshrines provisions guaranteeing pluralism. These include the right to choose, secret ballot, etc. The concept, principles of democracy are based, first of all, on the equality of citizens' voting rights . It makes it possible to choose between different options, areas of development.
Rights Guarantee
The concept of democracy in society is associated with the legal capabilities 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. Along with this, responsibilities for citizens are also established. Legality acts as a regime of socio-political life. It manifests itself in the establishment of requirements for all entities, primarily government agencies. The latter should be created and act on the basis of the steady and strict implementation of existing norms. Each state agency, official should have only the necessary amount of authority. Democracy is a concept that is associated with the mutual responsibility of citizens and the state. It involves the establishment of a requirement to refrain from actions that violate freedoms and rights, create obstacles to the performance of obligations by participants in the system.
Functions
Explaining the concept of democracy, it is separately necessary to say about the tasks that this institution implements. The functions are the 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 a static, but with a dynamic state of society. In this regard, the functions of the institute in certain periods of historical development underwent certain changes. Currently, 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 are the following:
- Organizational and political.
- Regulatory compromise.
- Socially stimulating.
- Constituent.
- Control
- Protective.
Social relations
Communication with them reflect the first three functions indicated above. Political power in the state is organized on a democratic basis. As part of this activity, self-organization of the population (self-government) is provided. It acts as a source of state power and is expressed in the presence of appropriate relations between subjects. The regulatory and compromise function is to ensure the pluralism of the activities of the participants in relations within the framework of cooperation, consolidation and concentration around the interests of the population and the state of different forces. The legal means of ensuring this function is the settlement of the legal status of entities. In the process of developing and making decisions, only democracy can have a socially stimulating effect on the state. The concept and forms of this institution ensure the optimal serving of power to the population, the accounting and application of public opinion, and the activity of citizens. This is manifested, in particular, in the ability of citizens to participate in referenda, send letters, statements, and so on.
State tasks
The concept of "representative democracy" is associated with the ability of the population to form bodies of state power and territorial self-government. This is done by voting. Elections in a democratic state are secret, universal, equal and direct. Maintenance of the work of state bodies within their competence in accordance with the requirements of the legislation is carried out through the implementation of the control function. It also presupposes the accountability of all parts of the country's governance apparatus. One of the key is considered the protective function of democracy. It involves the provision of state security, protection of dignity and honor, freedoms and individual rights, forms of ownership, suppression and prevention of violations of the law.
Initial requirements
They represent the principles on which a democratic regime is based. The recognition of them by the international community is determined by the desire to strengthen the anti-totalitarian position. The key principles are:
- Freedom of choice of the social system and method of government. The people have the right to change and determine the constitutional system. Of primary importance is freedom.
- Equality of citizens. It means that all people have obligations to comply with the law, rights and interests of others. All are liable for violations, have the right to defense in court. The Constitution guarantees respect for equality. The rules prohibit privileges or restrictions on racial, gender, religious, political beliefs, social, property status, place of residence, origin, language and so on.
- Election of state bodies and their constant interaction with the population. This principle involves the formation of structures of power and territorial self-government through the expression of the will of the people. It provides turnover, accountability, an equal opportunity for each citizen to exercise their suffrage.
- Separation of powers. It involves mutual dependence and restriction of different directions: judicial, executive, legislative. This prevents the transformation of power into an instrument of suppressing equality and freedom.
- Decision making by the will of the majority while respecting minority rights.
- Pluralism. It means a variety of social phenomena. Pluralism broadens the circle of political choice. It involves a plurality of parties, associations, opinions.
Ways to realize the will of the population
The functions of democracy are carried out through its institutions and forms. The latter exist quite a lot. Forms of democracy are seen as its external expression. The key ones include:
- Citizen participation in the management of social and public affairs. It is realized through representative democracy. In this case, power is exercised by revealing the will of people authorized by the people in elected bodies. Citizens can participate in governance and directly (through a referendum, for example).
- Creation and operation of a system of state bodies on the basis of transparency, legality, succession, election, separation of powers. These principles prevent the abuse of social authority and official position.
- Legal, first of all, constitutional consolidation 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 a system that directly form a democratic regime through the implementation of basic requirements. As a prerequisite for the legitimacy of any institution is its legal design. Legitimacy is ensured by public acceptance and organizational structure. Institutions may vary in their original purpose when solving urgent state problems. In particular, they distinguish:
- Structural institutions. These include deputy commissions, parliamentary sessions, etc.
- Functional Institutions. They are voters' orders, public opinion, etc.
Depending on the legal significance, the following institutions are distinguished:
- Imperative. They have universally binding, final value for officials, government agencies, citizens. Such institutions are legislative and constitutional referenda, electoral orders, elections, and so on.
- Advisory. They are advisory to political structures. Such institutions are an advisory referendum, a nationwide discussion, questionnaires, 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-government is based on the principles of equality, freedom, participation in administration. This term is usually used with respect to several levels of association of people:
- To the whole society as a whole. In this case, they speak of public self-government.
- To certain territories. In this case, local and regional self-government takes place.
- To specific industries.
- 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 undoubted 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 is experiencing restrictions enters into a dispute with the state, not discovering justice in the legislation. A conflict arises when inequality of merit and natural abilities are not taken into account, recognition is lacking depending on experience, skill, maturity, etc. The desire for justice cannot be fully satisfied. In society there must be a constant awakening of the will, the development of a desire to express one’s opinion, views, and to be active.
The intrinsic value of democracy is expressed through its social significance. It, in turn, is to serve for the benefit of the individual, the state, and society. Democracy contributes to the establishment of correspondence between the actually existing and formally proclaimed principles of equality, freedom, and justice. It provides their embodiment in 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, reaching a compromise between the subjects. Under a democratic regime, participants in a relationship recognize the benefits of partnership and solidarity, harmony and peace. The instrumental value of the institute 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 power structures, independently organize movements, trade unions, parties, and provide protection against illegal actions. Democracy involves controlling the activities of elected institutions and other entities of the system. The personal value of the institution is expressed through the recognition of individual rights. They are formally fixed in normative acts and are actually ensured through the formation of material, spiritual, legal and other guarantees.
The democratic regime provides for liability for failure to fulfill obligations. Democracy does not act as a means of achieving personal ambitious goals by infringing on the freedoms, interests, and rights of others. To the people who are ready to recognize the autonomy of the individual and his responsibility, this institution forms the best opportunities for the implementation of existing humanistic values: social creativity, justice, equality and freedom. Moreover, the participation of the state in the process of providing guarantees and protecting the interests of the population is of undoubted importance. This is its main function in a democratic society.