Civil society is the basis of modern civilization, without which it is impossible to imagine a democratic state. Initially, it was positioned as a counterweight to the military, command and administrative systems, where all citizens obeyed the instructions of the authorities and could not influence them in any way. But civil society looks quite different. An example of a developed self-awareness of citizens is easy to find in Western Europe. Without the existence of a developed civil society, it is impossible to build a truly legal state, where all citizens, regardless of their position and status, from a simple worker to the president of the country, obey the law.
What is civil society?
In order to start thinking about the principles of functioning and the history of the origin of civil society in its modern sense, it is necessary to clarify what is meant by this term. So, civil society is a manifestation of activeactions of free citizens of the country who independently organized themselves into non-profit associations and act independently of the state, and are not subject to any external influence.
What is the essence of such a society?
There are some examples of manifestations of civil society that characterize the relationship between the individual and the state:
- the interests of society and the state cannot stand above the interests of the individual;
- the highest value is the freedom of the citizen;
- there is an inalienable right of a citizen to private property;
- no one has the right to interfere in the personal affairs of a citizen, if he does not violate the law;
- citizens enter into an informal agreement among themselves on the creation of a civil society, which is a protective layer between them and the state.
The main difference of civil society is that people can freely organize themselves into professional groups or interest groups, and their activities are protected from state interference.
History of the emergence of civil society
Many thinkers back in the days of ancient Greece wondered what is the reason for the creation of the state and its integral part - society. What motives drove the ancient people when they united in such complex and multifunctional public formations that occupied large territories. And how did they influence those who were in power at a certain periodtime.
Despite the fact that domestic science has only recently paid close attention to the formation of civil society, its formation and development, this burning discussion has been going on in world political science and philosophy for hundreds of years, the significance of which can hardly be overestimated. Within the framework of scientific works, such great minds as Aristotle, Cicero, Machiavelli, Hegel, Marx and many, many others tried to determine the main features within which the functioning of civil society became possible. They found examples in those states and within the framework of those political systems under which they lived. One of the most important and pressing has always been the question of the nature of the relationship between the state and civil society. What principles are these relations based on and are they always equally beneficial to both parties?
What examples have already existed in world history?
History knows many examples of civil society. For example, during the Middle Ages, the Italian city of Venice became an example of the democratic principle of checks and balances within the framework of political power. Many social signs that are something ordinary for us were first realized there. The foundations of the value of the individual and its freedoms, the awareness of the need to provide equal rights - these and many other ideas of democracy were born just then.
Another city-state in Italy, Florence, has made an invaluable contribution to the development of this historical phenomenon called civil society. Venice example,certainly had a significant impact.
It is also worth noting the German cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck, they also developed the foundations of civic consciousness and observed the influence of the population on the style and methods of governing these cities.
Was there something similar in Russia?
Despite the territorial remoteness and cultural differences, one can find examples of civil society in Russia both on its modern territory and on the territory of neighboring states that are close to it in spirit. First of all, we are talking about Novgorod and Pskov, in which, with the development of trade, a political and economic system that is unique in its essence has developed. Due to the presence of access to the sea, and, accordingly, an excellent opportunity to trade with neighboring cities and principalities, handicraft and trading houses actively developed in these cities. For their full-fledged and successful activities, the classic approach for that period of time was not suitable, so a form of government with a democratic bias developed here.
Features of Novgorod and Pskov
The life of Novgorod and Pskov was based on the established middle class, which was engaged in trade and production of goods, and provided various services. City management was carried out by convening a people's council. All free people had the right to participate in these meetings. Citizens who were mortgaged and worked for a part of the product received on the land of the owner, or fell into bondage for debts, also belonged to the unfree.serfs were counted.
What is characteristic is that the prince was an elected office. If the townspeople were not satisfied with the way the prince performed his functions, they could remove him from this position and choose another candidate. The city concluded an agreement with the prince, in which quite a few restrictions were imposed on his powers. For example, he could not acquire land as property, he was not allowed to conclude agreements with foreign states without the mediation of the Novgorodians themselves, and much more. These relationships fully characterize the concept of civil society, an example of which is demonstrated by the management institutions created in Novgorod and Pskov.
Interest in the principles of civil society development in post-Soviet Russia
At the end of the 80s, and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, conversations and discussions about the rule of law, its foundations, as well as the principles of the formation of civil society in the new country sounded with triple force. Interest in this topic was and remains very high, because after many decades of complete merging of the state and society, it was necessary to understand how to quickly, but painlessly create something that took more than one century in Western democratic countries.
Young historians and political scientists studied examples of the formation of civil society, invited numerous specialists from abroad in order to directly adopt the successful experience of other states.
Problems in modern manifestations of citizenship in Russia
Economic setbacks and problems arose at every turn. It was not easy to convey to citizens that now their lives, well-being, future depend largely on their personal choice, and that they should do it consciously. Generations of people did not have full rights and freedoms. This needed to be taught. Any civil society, the example of which is being studied by modern scientists, suggests that, first of all, the initiative should come from the citizens themselves, who perceive themselves as the main driving force of the state. In addition to rights, these are responsibilities.
Future challenges
According to experts and political scientists, one of the tasks of the post-communist society is the need to give a new meaning and meaning, within which civil society will develop. Examples of countries of developed democracies will help to avoid many mistakes, will enable the formation of a new society.
Now there is an active process of formation of the individual, the middle class and non-profit organizations. The era of rapid, almost uncontrollable development has come to an end. The formation phase begins. Time will tell whether the people of our country will ever be able to recognize themselves as full-fledged members of civil society.
