Everyone has probably already understood that the world is sliding into a zone of "global turbulence". This is the time when the future of countries and humanity as a whole is not determined, and therefore depends on the position of each individual person. How can people express their opinion? This is where it should be remembered that this is done through the participation of a citizen in political life. Only not everyone in our country and in other states has the necessary minimum of information on this issue. We are not particularly interested in such abstract topics when everything is stable. And as the crisis looms on the horizon, we are lost in conjecture, trying to figure out exactly how we can influence it. Is it only to rely on the rulers? Or is it possible to get involved in the common work to overcome it? Let's figure out our rights and responsibilities.
What is it about?
It is proposed to consider the expression "participation of a citizen in political life", defining its meaning. He hastwo related concepts. They cannot exist separately and cover the described process comprehensively. Specifically, we single out two terms: “citizen” and “politics”. The first describes a person who has certain rights. The second is the process of their implementation in the sphere of state administration. It turns out that we are exploring a system that allows each person to influence events in his country according to his own convictions. Say it's impossible? However, one should first study the laws, then only draw conclusions.
Your vote is decisive
We will try to understand where the legal leverage is laid down, allowing each person to influence the overall situation. Let's start with the fact that the participation of a citizen in political life is a rather "bureaucratic" process. It is laid out on the shelves in the constitution of any democratic state. In addition, there are also a number of laws and other acts detailing this process. Yes, you yourself, most likely, have already taken part in it, but you did not qualify it as the participation of a citizen in political life. If you have already reached the age of majority, then you went to vote (or had the opportunity to do so). You were given information about the various parties wishing to gain power, explained, invited to ask questions, and so on. Maybe you did not pay any attention to these events, but a citizen participates in the political life of his state in this form (but not only). Through the electoral system, his right to take part in the government of the country is realized.
Practice
Participation of citizens in politics is not limited to plebiscites. After all, voting is already the result of a rather long process. It is preceded by a political struggle. Namely, those parties that wish to direct the development of the country and society are trying to attract as many citizens as possible to their side. To do this, they explain their views and goals. They try to involve as many citizens as possible in this work so that they exercise their right to freedom of opinion. At this time, any person can choose the power that most fully reflects his own position. Of course, some people think that it is better to stand up for your beliefs alone. However, in a democratic society, a more rational mechanism has been devised, based on a long-standing principle: “Together we are strong!” That is why political parties are formed. They represent the aspirations and hopes of certain groups and strata of the population.
About political parties
Now we come to the other side of the citizen's participation in government. Anyone can become a member of a political force that matches their beliefs. And when he is twenty-one years old, to be elected to one or another local government body. And this is a completely different level of participation in political life. Work in a self-government body allows you to directly influence decision-making. After all, laws are made in them. Here it is worth saying that a deputy of any level does not vote "according to his own understanding." He is the voice of his constituents. This means that when voting, he is obliged to proceed from the interests of the latter. This is the secondthe level, so to speak, of the realization of the right of citizens to participate in the political system. The first is participation in the choice of a political force, the second is that it acts in its interests.
Is it that simple?
Not really. The fact is that the process of governing the country is quite complicated. You can, of course, “hack with a sword” and declare the most popular ideas among the people. And when it comes to putting them into practice, deputies and parties invariably run into obstacles and barriers. On the one hand, they have an opposition, a political force that expresses the interests of other groups of the population, sometimes of a confrontational nature. It is necessary to negotiate with them, to find a consensus. But there is also legislation, that is, the accepted “rules of the game”. You can't jump over them. For example, many are dissatisfied with high tariffs for utilities. To reduce them, it is necessary to change many laws, the first of which will be the budget for the current year. And besides it, there are other acts of a federal and local character. The work is difficult and long.
Should I go to the deputies?
Of course, a person with an active civic position wants to more closely influence the life of society. Many aspire to be elected to one body or another. Does everyone have this responsibility? The person on whom the well-being of the country and the entire population depends must have a large stock of knowledge. He also needs experience, the ability to analyze facts, to perceive information deeply and voluminously. Of course, a large number of specialists work on any legislative act. Ultimately, the one who voted is responsible for its implementation. Therefore, it is necessary that these people be comprehensively educated, wise, far-sighted. So it turns out that a citizen participates in politics when he carefully looks at who he is going to vote for.
Participation in peaceful assemblies
The officialdom is sorted out. But the political life does not end there. After all, besides elections, there are other forms of expression by the people of their opinion. Thus, the Constitution of a democratic country guarantees the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. This means that people can express their opinion through rallies, demonstrations or other actions held in public places. The exercise of this right is governed by its own laws that describe the methodology for organizing such events. That is, they cannot be spontaneous. Would you like to commemorate? You are welcome to the local government with a statement indicating the goals, organizers and the approximate number of participants. This is no discrimination. Local authorities are responsible for the lives of citizens. She is obliged to ensure the safety of order during the action. Although there are exceptions. One person can hold a picket without approval.
About responsibility
This is the most important on one hand and the least popular on the other.
We love people to look for someone to blame. However, citizenIn politics, he has not only rights, but also duties. He is required to exercise his rights thoughtfully and carefully. And then we vote for the one whom they "prompt", and then we grab our heads from what is happening in the country. And more often than not, we skip elections or rallies. Everyone has his own affairs, more important from his point of view, there are. We remember that we are also citizens, and not just people, when we need something from the authorities. And also - when prices rise or another "trouble" develops before our eyes. But after all, you had the right to influence the formation of this very power! Did they use it? Now ask yourself why the “wrong” people run the country.
