Citizen and his participation in politics. Participation of a citizen in political life - Knowledge Hypermarket

Citizen- this is a narrower concept, it is, first of all, a person endowed with political, civil, other rights and obligations and acting in accordance with these rights and obligations. Moreover, a real citizen considers his rights as duties and vice versa.

Citizenship- this is the political and legal affiliation of a person to a particular state or a stable political and legal relationship of a person with the state, expressed in the totality of their mutual rights, duties and responsibilities. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Russian citizenship is single and equal, regardless of the grounds for acquisition. Every citizen of Russia has all the rights and freedoms on its territory and bears equal obligations stipulated by the legislation. In accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, one cannot be deprived of citizenship or the right to change it. Citizenship relations are regulated by the law “On Citizenship in Russian Federation».

A citizen of the Russian Federation has the opportunity to take part in public and state affairs, in solving problems of vital importance for himself, using political rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Russia. These include the right to elect and be elected to state power And local government; right of equal access to public service. By exercising these rights, a citizen of the Russian Federation who has reached a certain age can become a member of the legislative bodies of both local and federal significance, may become an employee of the state apparatus, etc.

Every citizen who has reached the age of majority may submit, individually or collectively, appeals or petitions to state authorities and local self-government bodies with proposals for improving legislation.

The most important political rights of citizens of the Russian Federation are: the right to freedom of thought and speech; the right to join public organizations; the right to assemble peacefully, without weapons; hold rallies and demonstrations.

Exercising their political rights and freedoms, Russian citizen has the opportunity to have a real influence on decision-making by the authorities, to actively participate in the political life of the country

Elections, referendum.

The term "suffrage" means one of the subjective rights of citizens, which, on the one hand, implies the right to participate in elections as a voter, and on the other hand, to be elected. Passive suffrage is the right of a citizen of the Russian Federation to be elected. Passive suffrage implies an age limit: a citizen of 21 years old can be elected to the State Duma, and 35 years old to the post of president. Qualification is a condition for allowing or restricting participation in the implementation right When elections in the State the Duma and the presidents of the Russian Federation, voters vote at polling stations, and they organize elections, control the rule of law, and count votes - election commissions. Democratic elections are based on universal, equal suffrage by secret ballot. The participation of a citizen in elections is voluntary, no one has the right to influence a citizen in order to participate or not to participate in elections. Elections in a democratic society are periodic, i.e. persons are selected for 2-4 years. Democratic elections are representative and final, i.e. only elections determine those people who get power. Nobody can order them, they obey the CRF and the law.

Referendum- a form of direct expression of the will of citizens, expressed in voting on the most significant issues national, regional or local scale.

Referendum- the most important institution of direct democracy. It represents the direct law-making of the people. A referendum is one of the ways of public participation in making decisions that are important for the state and for each individual citizen. The decision made by a person affects the result of the procedure and must be supported by awareness (information) on this issue.

Political life, changeable and dynamic, involves various subjects of politics: people, social groups, ruling elites, etc. When they interact with each other, the subjects of politics on the issues of conquest, retention and use of state power give rise to various political processes in society.

Political process- this is a chain of political events and states that change as a result of the interaction of specific subjects of politics (one political leader of the government is replaced by others). Political scientists classify political processes in different ways. By scale: domestic political And foreign policy processes. Internal political processes can develop at the national, regional, local levels (for example, the electoral process). And according to their importance for society, they are divided into basic and private.

The basic political process characterizes the action of all political power as a mechanism for the formation and implementation of political power. It determines the content of private processes: economic-political, political-legal, cultural-political, etc.

Both basic and private processes are characterized by:

A) representation of interests to power structures

B) decision making

C) implementation of decisions

The political process is aimed at solving a political problem. For example, the state of the education system in the country as a whole. These issues are on the political agenda. Their decision becomes object - the goal of the political process which leads to certain results. However, a political one can take place only if there is subjects - participants in the process. These include initiators and performers.

Initiators political processes Citizens, interest groups, political parties and movements, trade unions, etc. act in a democratic society. The solution of political problems belongs performers- first of all government institutions and empowered officials, as well as specially appointed people from non-governmental bodies.

The executors of the political process choose means, methods and resources for its implementation. Resources can be knowledge, science, technical and financial means, public opinion and etc.

Outcome of the political process largely depends on the combination of internal and external factors. To the number internal factors includes, for example, the competence and ability of the authorities to correctly assess the situation, choose adequate means and methods, and achieve decisions taken in strict accordance with the rules of law. Within the framework of political processes, when solving problems, various interests of social groups intersect, sometimes causing intractable contradictions and conflicts.

Political processes, in terms of publicity of decision-making, are also divided into open and hidden (shadow).

In an open political process, the interests of groups and citizens are revealed in the programs of parties, in voting in elections, and so on. In the hidden - the political process is characterized by closeness and lack of control of government decisions. They are accepted by officials and authorities under the influence of unrecognized structures.

Political participation- these are the actions of a citizen in order to influence the adoption and implementation of state decisions, the choice of representatives in government institutions. This concept characterizes the involvement of members of a given society in the political process.

The scope of possible participation is determined by political rights and freedoms. In a democratic society, these include: the right to elect and be elected to public authorities, the right to participate in public affairs directly and through a representative, etc. But the exercise of these political rights may be limited, for example, the right to assemble for rallies or demonstrations by indicating that they must be held unarmed, peacefully, after prior notice to the authorities. And it is forbidden, for example, the organization of parties, the program

which is a violent change of the constitutional order. Such prohibitions are introduced on the basis of the security of the individual, society, state.

Political participation is indirect(serial) and direct(direct).

Direct participation is carried out through elected representatives. Direct participation is the impact of a citizen on power without intermediaries. It manifests itself in the following forms:

The reaction of citizens to impulses emanating from the political system

Periodic participation in actions related to the election of representatives, with the transfer of decision-making powers to them

Participation of citizens in activities political parties, socio-political organizations and movements

Influence on political processes through appeals and letters, meetings with political figures

Direct actions of citizens

Activities of political leaders

Forms of political activity can be group, mass and individual. The most developed and important form of political participation is democratic elections. This is a necessary minimum of political activity guaranteed by constitutions. Within the framework of the institution of elections, each citizen performs his individual action, voting for any party, candidate or political leader. Thus, it directly affects the composition of representatives, and hence the political course. Elections are accompanied by referendums - voting on legislative or other issues.

Political participation can be permanent (participation in a party), periodic (participation in elections), one-time (appeal to authorities).

But, some residents still try to shy away from participating in politics. This position, in practice, is called absenteeism.

Political participation is sometimes frustrating, this is because rational whether this political action or irrational. Rational - actions are conscious and planned, with an understanding of the means and ends, and irrational - actions that motivate mainly the emotional state of people (irritation, indifference, etc.).

Political culture implies: versatile political knowledge, orientation in life to the rules of a democratic society, mastery of these rules.

political knowledge- this is a person's knowledge about politics, the political system, about various political ideologies, about its institutions and procedures, with the help of which the participation of citizens in the political process is ensured. Knowledge can be presented as worldly or as scientific. scientific knowledge are the result of the study of political science, and worldly ones can be represented, for example, by the vision of a democratic regime as limitless, it is possible to do whatever you want.

Political values- this is a person's idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ideals and values ​​​​of a reasonable or desired social order. They are formed under the influence of knowledge about politics, personal and emotional attitude to political phenomena. The weakness of the political positions of citizens is one of the reasons that make it difficult to achieve harmony in society.

Methods of practical political action are models and rules of political behavior that determine how one can and how one should act. Many scientists call them models of political participation of a citizen, because. any form of citizen participation involves analysis and evaluation from the standpoint of certain requirements election programs and personal qualities to power. Political consciousness predetermines political behavior. Democratic political culture manifests itself in reality, but in political behavior.

So the democratic type political culture has a pronounced humanistic orientation, it embodies the best samples political experience of many countries of the world.

Citizen participation in political life is considered obligatory element modern society. With its help, people become active subjects of political life, influence important social problems, and determine the conditions of their own existence.

Features of participation

The participation of citizens in the political life of the country is a kind of political activity. It consists in the influence of citizens on the adoption of various important decisions in the state.

Character traits

It is necessary to make some clarifications to this term. The participation of a citizen in political life implies the influence of ordinary citizens on the life of society. This term does not include officials, endowed with state power, performing direct managerial functions.

The participation of citizens in the political life of the state is not connected with the professional activities of people who are part of the power, executive, representative, power structures. Officials and professional politicians act as ordinary residents of the country only during the voting procedure.

Participation options

The opportunity for citizens to participate in political life is voluntary, not mandatory for all residents.

All activities that relate to "participation for money" do not apply to an active life position. Participation of a citizen in political life should not be associated with campaigning for some candidate, party.

Absenteeism

This is the reluctance of citizens to take an active part in political life, which is explained by the lack of interest in this side of society. Currently, this quality is demonstrated by citizens during the voting.

Forms of participation

Let us consider the main forms of citizens' participation in political life. Among them, mass demonstrations are of particular interest. These include pickets, demonstrations, rallies, strikes.

In addition, the participation of citizens in the political life of society is manifested in voting in referendums and elections. Citizens can express their own position, opinion on the activities of various political parties, using the media. Ordinary citizens can submit an opinion on the adoption of certain laws, the level of their implementation in the form of appeals, letters to executive authorities.

The participation of a citizen in political life is also manifested in the form of control of deputies, constant contact with local authorities. People have the opportunity to exercise control over the activities of municipal and state bodies.

Common variant

What are the opportunities for citizens to participate in political life? As the most common form of such activity, one can consider participation in various elections. In those countries where there is a developed democracy, the number of citizens who take part in national election campaigns reaches 90 percent. The average figure is 50-80 percent.

Classification

What are the opportunities for citizens to participate in political life? Given the variety of forms, it is customary to classify them according to different grounds. Legal participation is possible, which is permitted by legislative acts. Terrorism refers to an illegal type of political activity, it is prohibited by law.

Depending on the number of participants, collective and individual political activities are distinguished.

By the nature of the actions, they note: constant action, characteristic of activists, as well as episodic participation of citizens in political life (elections, referendums).

Demonstrate their attitude towards the actions of political parties, state structures ordinary citizens can at the local or regional level.

Direction of action

Forms of participation differ in the direction of action. For example, citizens want to realize private interests when holding a rally, or a strike is aimed at resolving a serious situation that has developed in the city. The option of citizens' participation in political life also depends on the resources and efforts that participants will have to make in order to cope with the task they have set. For example, when demonstrating a protest regarding the reduction of employees in an enterprise, citizens must be prepared to overcome pressure from the company's management.

Motivation for political participation

What opportunities for citizen participation in political life exist at the present time? Why do people aspire to such activities? What is the main purpose of political participation? G. Perry, who has been studying this problem for several years, noted that there are three main explanations for the phenomenon of political participation.

The most common form of participation is the instrumental model. The main motive is the possibility of implementing group or individual interests. People are trying in this way to get decisions and actions from the government that will be beneficial for them.

The communal model of participation in political life involves the use of the desire of people to make positive changes in the life of society as a source and main motive. Citizens do not think about their own interests, they are driven by the desire to help other people eliminate some problems.

The educational model involves paying attention not to the sources of participation, but to the results of activities. Political activity citizens is important element socialization. For some people, political participation becomes important part life, is an opportunity to realize their abilities, creativity.

The main motives for participation are rational-instrumental principles. The actions of citizens are aimed at the creation, adoption, and implementation of government decisions, the search for worthy representatives in government institutions.

Citizen groups

The scope of permissible participation is limited by the political rights of citizens. According to this indicator, the population is divided into two groups. One of them is the political elite. The basis of the activity of such people is politics. These include representatives of parties, state authorities. In the second group are ordinary people.

Their political activity is a voluntary activity, a desire to influence public authorities.

Some scholars take the position that participation is seen as a political action of both groups. There are also those who single out as political participation only the actions of ordinary citizens.

Not all people become professional public and political figures, so let's talk about the actions of ordinary citizens. There are two ways to participate in the political life of the country. The first option assumes direct participation, the second - mediated (representative) action.

Examples of direct participation include attending rallies, picketing, voting in elections, letters and appeals to government bodies, activity in political parties.

Indirect participation is carried out by choosing representatives from parties, groups. It is to them that ordinary citizens transfer authority so that they make decisions. For example, a delegate will be able to become an active member of the parliamentary commission, will negotiate with government agencies, and establish informal relations with government officials.

Such types of political participation correspond to certain political roles: party members, voter, petition initiator. Regardless of the chosen role, active participation is expected, bringing a certain result.

Autonomous participation involves voluntary and free actions of citizens associated with the manifestation of a certain political position regarding the pursuit of personal or group interests.

Mobilized participation is a compulsory option; it presupposes the obligatory participation of citizens in demonstrations and elections. This option existed during the Soviet Union.

Citizens who refused to support the political line pursued in the country were punished with a "ruble", career growth. Mobilized participation prevails in authoritarian and totalitarian political regimes. In a democratic state, the autonomous participation of citizens in the political life of society is assumed.

The American political scientist S. Verba emphasized that only for a democratic society can we talk about an effective mechanism for the political participation of ordinary citizens in the life of society. This is manifested in the transfer by people who are not professional politicians of information about their own preferences, interests, needs to government representatives.

For example, citizens who are outraged by the injustice that exists in society make up petitions, appear on television, and prepare letters of protest to government agencies. IN specific situations it is possible to organize rallies, strikes aimed at solving the current problem.

Such behavior of the population brings positive results. The authorities are forced to listen to the position of ordinary citizens, to correct the decision.

Conclusion

Every citizen has the right to participate in the political life of his country. To use it, two main factors are needed: the consciousness of the individual, the culture of democracy. The basis for the creation of the main political processes is the direct participation of people in the political life of their state.

Political participation of citizens is influenced by the situation in society. Depending on the level of development of the state, it is possible to involve various segments of the population in such activities.

Social differentiation leads to the emergence of certain socio-political forces, for example, parties, organizations.

Does an ordinary citizen have the opportunity to influence the political process? What is the purpose of developing a culture of democracy in modern society? Political activity is constantly undergoing modernization, it is considered a dynamic system.

It includes social groups, people, the ruling elite. At the same time, each structure pursues its own selfish interests, has a certain level of culture and education.

It is in the interaction of subjects contemporary politics there is a conquest, containment, the use of state power, the modernization of political processes in society.

Worksheet on the topic: Participation of citizens in political life.

Task 1 Using the Constitution of the Russian Federation, answer the questions.

Excerpts from the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Article 31

Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to assemble peacefully, without weapons, to hold meetings, rallies and demonstrations, marches and picketing.

Article 32

1. Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to participate in the management of state affairs both directly and through their representatives. 2. Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to elect and be elected to bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government, as well as to participate in a referendum. 3. Citizens recognized as legally incompetent by a court, as well as those held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court verdict, do not have the right to elect and be elected. 4. Citizens of the Russian Federation have equal access to public service. 5. Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to participate in the administration of justice

Questions

Can an ordinary citizen influence politics? If yes, how?

Is political participation in our country a right or a duty of citizens? Argument your answer

Can you take part in political life? Why?

How can citizens of our country participate in political life?

Task 2 Elections - the procedure for electing someone by voting. (representative participation in political life) . Using the textbook pp. 46-47, complete the diagram.

Suffrage

Task 3. Workshop Determine which principle of suffrage is violated:

1) Men in elections have 2 votes, and women - 1. 2) Each voter receives a ballot on the eve of elections, fills it out at home, and on election day brings it to the polling station. 3) Elections of deputies to the Legislative AssemblyNedges are multi-layered. 4) Pensioners living inNarea are not eligible to vote.

Task 4. Using the textbook, write down the restrictions on suffrage.

Task 5. Using additional material Fill the table.

Task 6 Work with the textbook paragraph "The right to equal access to public service" and answer the questions.

What is a public service?

What does equal access to public service mean?

How can citizens of Russia participate in the administration of justice?

Task 7 Work with the textbook paragraphs "Appeal to the authorities" and "Other ways of influencing the authorities." Make up 3 questions for each item, the answers to which can be found in the text of the textbook.

Activity 8 Outline the paragraph “The meaning of freedom of speech”

Task 9 Using the text of the textbook answer the questions

Political extremism is...

Manifestation of political extremism - ... ..

Lead 3 concrete examples manifestationspolitical extremism

The political process involves various forms participation of citizens in the political life of society.

Active forms of participation:

• - participation in elected bodies, such as presidential elections;
• - mass actions, such as rallies, demonstrations, strikes, in which the masses are coordinated, dissatisfied with any actions of the government;
• - single actions, notable enough to have political weight;
• - participation in political parties and organizations, participation in the government of the country, in the adoption of laws;
• - participation of citizens in surveys;
• - appeals and complaints to higher structures of individuals or groups of citizens;
• - lobbying activity;
• - network participation - blogs, electronic newspapers, and other Internet resources.

Passive forms of participation:

• - social apathy as a factor of citizens' distrust of the government and, accordingly, all non-participation in elections;
• - ignoring social events, such as subbotniks, rallies and demonstrations, when invited or strongly recommended to come to them;
• - not doing something, caused by dissatisfaction with some actions of the government. For example: a small payment provided to an individual, which he considers offensive to himself and does not go to receive it, they say, no thanks.

The basis of the form of participation of the population in the political life of society is the participation of the majority of citizens in elections, which are held regularly, after a certain time prescribed by law.

In democratic countries, elections are held on the basis of general and equal suffrage. For elections, constituencies are created so that each deputy is elected by an equal number of residents or voters. And only then is real equality of suffrage ensured.

A very responsible political event is the nomination of candidates for elective office. An election campaign is organized to identify them and campaign for them. Candidates can be nominated by public organizations, parties or on their own initiative. Candidates from political parties, of course, have a real chance of being elected. The principles of democratic politics require that parties and candidates conduct an election campaign on an equal footing. It is not easy to implement this requirement in practice.

The election campaign ends the day before the voting, the procedure for which is strictly regulated by law. It must be secret. The voter alone in the booth fills out the ballot and must put it into the ballot box himself. Special attention given to the counting of votes. To avoid violations and fraud during the opening of the ballot box and the counting of votes, the presence of outside observers is allowed. The urns themselves are sealed.

Electoral votes are counted based on certain rules. The set of such rules is called the electoral system. The two most common electoral systems are the majority system (majority) and the proportional representation system.

• 1) Under the majoritarian system, the candidate who receives the majority of votes is considered elected, and it has two varieties: an absolute majority and a relative majority. Under the majority system of an absolute majority, the winner is the candidate for whom 50% of the voters who took part in the elections voted. If the winner is not identified, a second round of elections is held, in which two candidates who have received largest number votes in the first round. Under a majoritarian system of relative majority, victory is given to the candidate who receives more votes than each of his rivals individually, even if he was supported by less than half of those who came to the polls.
• 2) Under a proportional system, each party puts up lists of candidates in elections. In accordance with them and the number of votes cast for a given party, the number of deputies is determined. This system allows even small parties to have their representatives in government. To prevent this from happening in the legislation of many countries, including Ukraine and Russia, a barrier clause is established, which does not allow those parties that receive less than 4-5% of the votes to get deputy powers.

The next form of political participation is the referendum. A referendum is the vote of the population on a foreign policy issue. In elections, voters determine which of the candidates will represent their interests in legislative assembly or hold an elected office. At a referendum, they themselves decide on a constitutional or legislative issue put to a vote.

At present, the constitutions of many states provide for the possibility or obligation in a number of cases to hold referendums. The initiative to hold it is given to the head of state, parliament, public organizations, people. The most important issues of the political life of the country are submitted to a national referendum: the adoption of a constitution and amendments to it, a change in the form state structure or forms of government, the adoption of new or the abolition of existing laws, the entry of the country into international organization etc. The results of the referendum have no legal force, but the opinion of the people has enormous political power and is accepted by the government and the president for execution. For example, when the Supreme Soviet of Russia failed to adopt a constitution, the president turned to the people. When preparing for a referendum, constituencies are not created. The decision is considered adopted, for which the majority of citizens who participated in the referendum voted. In order for a referendum to more accurately express the will of the people, it must be preceded by a broad and comprehensive discussion of the issue being put to the vote. A form of political participation of the people in government is also a plebiscite. Like a referendum, it is designed to determine the opinion of voters by voting. In the sphere of interstate relations, a plebiscite is used to poll the population about the belonging of the territory in which they live to a particular state. In internal political life, the plebiscite acts as one of the types of referendum on the issue of confidence in the head of state and the policy pursued by him. The demand for a plebiscite may come not only from the people dissatisfied with the political leadership, but also from the leadership itself. Thus, a plebiscite is a direct expression of the will of the people. But history shows that the people can be deceived and with the help of them people can come to power, who will then betray their interests. Depending on the level of economic and political culture, the mentality of the people of a given state, the political participation of the people in the life of society can lead either to the stability of political life or, conversely, to political conflicts and instability of the political system.