Emile Durkheim defined the concept of "anarchy" as the complete absence of power within a particular state. Over time, some researchers began to identify anarchy with the state of transition. There is, of course, some truth in this, but this is far from all that society is facing during this period.
Problem of definition
Under the state it is customary to mean a public organization, which is controlled by special mechanisms of government, located in a certain territory. However, there is still no single correct definition that would be accepted in the scientific community and international law. Since the UN is not en titled to put forward theses about what a state is, the only documented definition is that used in the Montevideo Convention (1933).
What is a state?
With regard to modern definitions of the term "states", the following can be listed:
- The state isa specific political organization endowed with power, which expresses the interests of the people (V. V. Lazarev).
- The state can be understood as a political organization that protects and manages economic and social public structures (S. I. Ozhegov).
But whatever the definition, the state has enduring characteristics that often change during transition.
Characteristics of the state
It is not uncommon to encounter confusion over the concepts of "country" and "state", which are often used as synonyms. Meanwhile, they have a big difference: the word "country" is used when it comes to the cultural or geographical characteristics of a particular state, while the actual "state" defines a complex political structure with mandatory characteristics:
- Availability of documents that declare the primary goals and objectives of the state (laws, constitution, doctrines, etc.).
- Community management systems are in place. These include authorities and social institutions.
- The state has its own property (i.e. resources).
- It has its own territory, where a certain number of people live.
- Each state has its own capital and subordinate organizations (law enforcement, military, local government).
- The presence of state symbols and language is mandatory.
- Sovereignty (i.e.the state must be recognized by others in order to act on the international stage.)
On the approach to the transition period
The state is considered an integral and stable system, the main task of which is to protect the interests of citizens. This procedure is carried out through the adoption of laws and sanctions, according to which the subjects act. It is worth noting that all the adopted norms support the rule of law, traditions and integrity of society, and the population is involved in state activities in accordance with international agreements. Simply put, a political organization must ensure the harmonious and fulfilling existence of each member of society.
However, this is not always enough, there are times when the current state apparatus is not able to satisfy all the needs of citizens. Then a new political force begins to come to power, which breaks the old social structure and creates new mechanisms of government and ways of developing the state. This is the transitional period of the state.
Definition
The transitional period means the state-legal systems that are in a state of transformation, changing the political system and law. For example, history knows many cases when the slave-owning form of power changed to feudal. Feudal power was replaced by capitalism, and it was replaced by socialism.
This process has always been complex and controversial. Not only power changed, but the characteristics and rights of classes. A prime examplestates in transition can be called the USSR in 1991. Literally in a matter of days, 15 union republics that gained full independence were to form their own state apparatuses that would fully meet the needs of the population and meet international standards.
Features of a state of transitional type
During the transition period, a comprehensive deconstruction of all state elements takes place. Milestones:
- Occurs due to social upheavals (coups, revolutions, wars, failed reforms).
- Assumes several scenarios for the development of the state, leaving the ruling elites to choose for themselves which way development will continue according to historical changes, cultural, ethnic, religious and economic characteristics.
- External relations are subject to drastic changes, the legal system and the economic basis of the state are weakened. Accordingly, the standard of living also becomes lower.
- The social and political foundations are weakening. In society, the level of tension and uncertainty is growing, as a result, one can observe a state of partial anarchy.
- The transition policy is dominated by the executive branch.
How long does it take to change the political apparatus?
In a state of transition, all system-forming norms are being superseded, and, as practice shows, this process takes some time. You can't come to an instantsystem change. The problem lies not only in the complexity of the transformation of government, but also in the awareness and acceptance of changes by citizens.
If people eventually get used to any conditions, then the formation of new norms in social institutions takes a long time. It may happen that new institutions do not take root in the updated system, while the old ones fit perfectly into it. During this period, the legal system of regulation of the state apparatus receives a special load, which should provide for new political needs for ongoing changes. And if the state does not come to a new style of government in a relatively short period of time, this can only mean that the changes are provoked by subjective (artificial) factors.
If we talk about the timing of the transition period, then in general it ends in 5 years. During this time, a new state apparatus manages to form and take effect. Take, for example, the Crimea. It became part of Russia in 2014, and the country's leading political scientists assure that the transition period will end in 2019.
Problems
The main problems of the transition period in the state include an unstable economic situation and difficulties in understanding new laws, which significantly slows down the transformation process. The main problems can be identified as follows:
- The irresistibility of a difficult transformation. Simply put, it is difficult for individuals and legal entities to adapt to new market conditions.
- Uncertainty andunderdeveloped market infrastructure.
- The problem of price liberalization.
- Difficulties with macroeconomic stabilization.
- The problem of mentality.
- Problems of upholding new positions in the international arena.
The State of Society
With all this, a society in transition is in a natural risk zone. At this stage, new reforms are being actively introduced, but for the common man they mean little, no matter what positive changes they bring. The country's productivity and turnover rapidly begin to fall, and, accordingly, the standard of living decreases, and then cultural heritage falls into the sphere of optional elements.
Scientific treatises have repeatedly noted that even in a state of relative calm, the state balances on the verge of two dangers: either new reforms will completely suppress the creative and independent beginning of citizens, or people will get more freedom and, using it, completely disorganize political apparatus. During the transition period, these dangers increase significantly, as the centralization of the main forces of the state system, nationalism, extremism intensifies, and the processes of disintegration begin to develop. Such problems are typical for all countries, in particular, they are inherent in the transition period in Russia.
Therefore, a state of transitional type faces a set of complex tasks that should cover all spheres of its life, ensuringnot only the introduction of new reforms, but also the protection of the interests of citizens. Maintaining stability, maintaining external independence, guaranteeing the self-sufficiency and independence of its citizens - these are the main points on which the state in transition focuses. And if at least some part is missed, then it is quite likely that anarchy, about which Durkheim spoke, will reign in the country.
