We live in a democratic country! An interesting statement. It can often be found in the media. But what does it mean in practice? How to interpret and understand? What is democratization? Let's figure it out. After all, this applies to every person who considers himself part of a democratic society.
What is democratization: definition
As usual with thoughtful people, let's open the dictionaries. Everything is explained clearly there. Our question is in a separate section. It is said that this is the process of establishing a democratic system in the country. It is based on democracy. People, more precisely, voters have the right to decide all issues. But not individually, but all together. For this, plebiscites are organized and held. So, if we are interested in what democratization is, then we should pay attention to who and how leads the country. You say that this is clearly the government? And there is no democracy, what the leadership says, we do it. However, it is not. After all, the government is not approved by one person. Persons entering the cabinet of ministers must be approved by the elected body. For example, parliament. And you can't become a deputy on a whim or an order from above. Their people elect by voting. Together, the deputies initiate and adopt laws by which the state lives. So it turns out that the people indirectly influence all processes in the country through their elected representatives.
How does a society come to democracy?
So far, we have generally considered the principles that should be implemented in the state. This process is democratization. It is quite complicated. After all, the mechanism for the exercise of power should be prescribed in the Constitution. This is the first step towards building a democratic society. Next, laws and acts should be adopted that will interpret and decipher for the participants in the political process the mechanism for implementing constitutional principles. For example, suffrage is indicated in the most important document of the country. And how to implement it? Who can go to the urn? And who has the right to be elected? Everything needs to be legislated. It turns out that if you are asked what democratization is, you should say: "This is the process of building a state on special principles." A lot of them. After all, a country cannot live and function normally, guided only by the decisions of its parliament. Power in a democratic state is divided into three branches, some believe that four (media). They must interact with each other without failing, without creating tension in society.
Political democratization
First of all, the people should be involved in the management processes. Otherwise, how will he feel that he is the bearer of power? Without this, there can be no democracy. Therefore, laws are being adopted, mechanisms for holding plebiscites are being developed. But this is not enough, as it turns out. The democratization of society consists in explaining to people their rights. Not all citizens strive to take part in solving complex issues, everyone has their own hobbies or problems. So, it is necessary to show a person how good it is when he can influence life in his city, for example. For this, discussions, consultations, lectures, promotions are held. Each country comes up with its own mechanisms. It is important to make people understand that everyone should bear some responsibility for what is happening around. In countries with developed democracies, regions solve such issues as energy conservation, for example. And this is impossible if information about the work of state bodies is hidden.
Openness and transparency of power
This is one of the main elements of democratization. In order for a person to feel involved in the work of the state, he needs to provide conditions for obtaining any information. How will you vote for the implementation of an energy saving program if you do not understand what it will lead to? Everything should be told, providing everyone with calculations and graphs, showing the probable results. Then a person will be able not only to make a decision, but also to realize ownership of the process. Which is true democracy. Everyone is a partcollective economy of the country. To come to such a position, it is necessary to act simultaneously in all directions. On the one hand, to make the work of state structures transparent and understandable, on the other hand, to involve citizens in solving problems.
Rule of Law
There is another direction of democratization. The state should not interfere in all processes in society. Its function ideally comes down to the creation of laws governing relations in various areas, and control over their implementation. That is, society must function independently. For this, draft acts are being developed. They undergo peer review and public hearings. That is, citizens are already involved in the process of creating laws. Not all, of course, but those whom this act concerns. For example, laws regulating economic relations should take into account the wishes of entrepreneurs. After all, they have to fulfill them. The same applies to the sphere of culture, education, he althcare and others. Laws affecting the social security of citizens should be coordinated with public organizations. This is how the rule of law is built, and this is the process of democratization.
