Modern Russia at the moment is precisely the social space where the democratization of social relations, increasing the activity and self-activity of citizens and their associations are the most important conditions for its further progress. This is largely due to the creation of the necessary conditions and prerequisites for the formation of civil society in Russia.
This question is as relevant today as ever. In this article, we will consider the concept, signs and prerequisites for the formation of civil society.
Nature and concept of civil society
In its development, civil society goes through a number of historical stages. Its beginnings appear with the emergence of the simplest associations of people capable of collective and independent action. The community is the primary form of civil society that has tried toensure the satisfaction of the interests and needs of people. Subsequently, civil society is expressed in such social formations as classes, estates, which created the state in order to protect their interests.
Today, there are two key approaches to defining the content of civil society - broad and narrow. In the first interpretation, it implies the part of the population not covered by the state. This means that civil society acts here as a kind of antithesis or counterbalance to the state. In this type of society, a person is not just a silent object of control, but a central figure in the life of the state. Observance of civil rights and freedoms, satisfaction of the personal needs of individuals - these are the values that determine the functioning and development of civil society.
In the narrow sense, civil society is a set of relations that develop outside the framework and without government intervention. Consequently, this is a certain part of the human society - the sphere of non-state relations, institutions and structures, which has its own hierarchy, content and functions. Here it is an intermediary between the individual and power and performs the function of reconciling public and private interests.
Functions of civil society
Let's list some of the most important functions that civil society performs:
- Protects the privacy of citizens from unreasonable government regulation.
- Creates and develops mechanismspublic self-government.
- Contributes to the strengthening of democratic government institutions and the political system.
- Provides guarantees of the rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as equal access to participation in public and state affairs.
- Through various means and sanctions, it contributes to the observance of social norms by citizens, ensures their upbringing and socialization (the function of social control).
- Informs the state about the needs of society, the satisfaction of which is possible only by the state (communication function).
- Creates the structures that hold social life together (stabilizing function).
Signs and structure of civil society
The key features of such a social system include the legal protection of citizens, a high level of democracy, a developed civic culture, the existence of self-government, an active social policy of the state, a variety of forms of ownership, freedom of opinion and pluralism.
An important prerequisite for the formation of civil society is the effective functioning of its structural elements. There are forms of expression such as charitable foundations, social movements, lobbying organizations, political parties, business associations, municipal communes, scientific, cultural and sports organizations and societies. The elements of civil society also include independent media, the church, and the family.
Prerequisites for the formation of civil society
We have determined what features and properties such a society has, what functions it performs and its structure has. The structure and prerequisites for the formation of civil society are closely related. Obviously, the above forms of social organization can be divided into groups corresponding to various spheres of social life. So, the foundations of civil society are divided into political and legal, economic and spiritual (or cultural and moral).
The political and legal prerequisite for the formation of civil society can be briefly characterized by the rule of law and the equality of all before it. As well as the separation of powers and the decentralization of their powers, citizens' access to participation in public and state organizations, political pluralism and ensuring human rights, as well as the lack of total control over the media.
Economic prerequisites for the formation of civil society are a market economy and various forms of ownership.
The cultural and moral basis of civil society, in turn, is characterized by developed moral relations, freedom of conscience, a focus on creation and adherence to basic human values.
Thus, the prerequisites for the formation of civil society in the economic sphere are market relations and private property, in the political sphere - democracy, law and law, and in the spiritual - justice and morality.
State and civil society
Considering civil society as a form of social organization, one cannot separate it from the state. Nowadays, there are few areas that are exclusively within the competence of civil society, so it and the state in modern conditions closely cooperate with each other.
There are two trends in their relationship:
- The deetatist trend implies the restriction of official power. This approach assumes an active civil society that exercises control over the state, the expanded influence of political parties and group interests, the decentralization of a number of state functions, as well as the strengthening of self-government principles.
- Etatist trend means strengthening the role of the state. This direction is based on the need for state regulation of information and other spheres of society, solving social problems, expanding international relations, attracting state capital, pursuing a balanced regional policy, etc.
It is important to emphasize that, no matter what trend prevails in this issue, the mechanism for successful interaction between civil society and government comes down to the following principles:
- Separation of the branches of government.
- Political pluralism.
- Legal opposition.
Rule of Law
To serve society and create the necessary conditions for a comfortable existence of the individual in it is the main purpose and function of any state. Subject to the functioning of a developed andAn effective civil society opens up the possibility of implementing this function. It should be clarified here that civil society can develop only in a state that guarantees:
- First, the physical security of citizens;
- Second, individual freedom;
- Third, political and civil rights of the individual;
- Fourthly, sets the boundaries of state intervention in society.
The characteristics listed above describe nothing more than the rule of law. A constitutional state implies such an organization of political power in a country that is based on the supremacy of a humane and just law, operates within the framework defined by it, and ensures the legal and social protection of its citizens. At the same time, both the government itself and citizens have rights and obligations defined by law.
It becomes obvious that the rule of law is the most important prerequisite for the formation of civil society.
Civil Society in the Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is a legal democratic state, therefore, it has the prerequisites for the formation and development of civil society.
In post-totalitarian Russia, civil society institutions are developing rather slowly, which can be explained by the population's unwillingness to take part in the country's political life, as well as a low level of trust in the authorities. In addition, it can be said that the structures being formed in the Russian state exist only formally and have not yet beenfull of real content.
Nevertheless, too little time has passed since the reformist activity began in Russia aimed at creating a rule of law state and cultivating civil society in it. During the years of reforms, the country has undoubtedly changed. This was expressed as follows:
- Market relations and various forms of ownership emerged in the economic sphere.
- Political - separation of powers, legal opposition, political pluralism, democratic regime.
- In the spiritual sphere - freedom of conscience and faith, independence of the media.
- In the legal - ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens, the mutual responsibility of the state and the individual, ensuring security.
Obviously, our country is actively developing the prerequisites for the formation of civil society.
The importance of civil society
One cannot underestimate the role and importance of civil society in the modern world, because it is it that is able to ensure the implementation and development of democratic principles in the world. Its functioning means the ability to improve the standard of living of the population in general and the individual in particular. It is state power balanced by civil society that can be most useful and effective.
