TRADITIONAL SOCIETY (pre-industrial society, primitive society) is a concept that focuses in its content a set of ideas about the pre-industrial stage of human development, characteristic of traditional sociology and cultural studies. Unified theory T.O.

Civil society, the concept, features, structure of which will be described in detail in the article, is considered the main pillar of any true democracy. It is the key to its strengthening and preservation, contributing to its formation. The main opponent of the development of totalitarianism in the state is precisely the civil society of this formation? How does its activity manifest itself? More on this later.

General information

Civil society is called upon to ensure the protection of society from various abuses of power. It helps limit corruption and prevents In Russia, the structure and functions of civil society today are just beginning to take shape. This is manifested primarily by the proclamation of individual freedoms and rights as the highest value of society, which determines the content and meaning of the activities of government bodies. Among the prerequisites as a result of which the structure of civil society began to take shape, the following can be briefly mentioned:

• The emergence of a multi-party system.
• Development of market relations.
• Implementation of the principle of separation of powers.

The bureaucratic system prevents the broader influence of civil society on the activities of the state.

Education

Civil society - the concept, characteristics, structure of this form of organization of people - went through a fairly long period of formation in the course of historical development. As a result, it became a powerful social entity. Civil society began to function not only as an exclusively state structure, but also as a social structure. During the transition to market relations there is a significant wealth stratification education. This period is characterized by an increase in social, including interethnic, conflicts. All these factors negatively affect the process of formation and development of civil society. Today, the issues of ensuring social protection of people and implementing the principles of justice in public administration are coming to the fore.

The concept and essence of civil society

Today, the definition has been significantly enriched in content and is considered very ambiguous. In a general sense, it provides for the highest The structure of civil society includes individuals, institutions and groups. All of them are not directly dependent on the political state. Also, the structure of civil society can be briefly considered as an association in which developed cultural, legal, political, and economic relationships take place between the individuals that form it. These connections are not mediated by the state.

Characteristic

The concept and essence of civil society can be considered from two points of view. In accordance with the first, this form of organization is a complex of interpersonal relations, and also In this case, the structure of civil society includes economy, culture, education, family, religion, etc. There is no provision for government participation in the development of these relationships. Due to this complex of interactions, social groups and individuals satisfy their own interests and needs. The concept of civil society in philosophy presupposes an ideal model of formation formation. According to this view, a social entity consists of sovereign free individuals. At the same time, they must have the broadest socio-economic, political, cultural and other rights, actively participate in public administration and freely satisfy a wide variety of individual needs.

Principles

They ensure the functioning of civil society. The basic principles include:

• Equality of freedoms and rights of all people.
• Economic independence of individuals.
• Guaranteed legal protection of freedoms and human rights.
• Freedom of the population in the formation of movements and parties.
• Legislatively guaranteed opportunity for people to form independent associations based on professional characteristics and interests.
• Security necessary conditions, material, including for the development of culture, education of the population, science, education and other things.
• The existence of a stabilizing mechanism that ensures the safety of relations between society and the state, as well as the security of the former.
• Freedom of education and media activities.

What features does civil society have? What are the main features of this form of organization

An essential feature of this complex is the ability to control and resist the state. There are many periods in history in which civil society prevailed over power. The essence and structure of the formation may be in different states. For example, in the East, this complex as a whole is considered “amorphous,” but the state has unlimited capabilities and power, penetrating into all spheres of life. As for Russia, here the state, as a rule, won and subjugated civil society. The essence and structure of the complex is constantly under pressure from the authorities. A striking example may serve as a 70-year period of totalitarianism in the country. As a result of it historical development almost reached a dead end. IN modern Russia civil society began to be viewed from a different angle. Interest arose in him as a political ideal. A sign of civil society is the desire to ensure freedom and individual rights and to resist authoritarian manifestations of power. This form of organization, among other things, can take on some of the government tasks that the latter is unable to perform. However, there is a certain dependence of civil society on the authorities. Its degree depends on the ability of uniting people to satisfy their needs independently, without turning to the state for help.

Other features

Other features of civil society include:

• Developed legal, cultural, political, economic relationships between individuals.
• The ability to control the state.
• Availability of self-regulation and self-control mechanisms.
• Pluralistic character. It manifests itself in many parties, forms of ownership, and so on.
• Lack of human enslavement. In a society, interacting people are considered its basis.
• The development and diversity of the structure, which reflects the various interests of layers and groups, the ramifications of democracy.
• A high degree of psychological and intellectual development of people, the ability for independent activity when attracted to one or another institution of the complex.
• Legality.

Within the framework of civil society, the freedoms and rights of its members are most fully ensured. In the complex there is also competition between groups. In a healthy society, its members freely form their own opinions, their awareness is developed, and their right to information is actually exercised. The vital activity of the complex is based on the coordination principle. This is how society differs from the state apparatus. In it, interactions occur on the principle of subordination, strict submission.

Components of the complex

Civil society has a special structure. Its components - institutions and formations - provide conditions for meeting the needs and realizing the interests of groups and individuals. They are able to exert the necessary pressure on the authorities, forcing them to serve the benefit of the population. The structure - the internal arrangement - reflects the interaction and diversity of components. It ensures dynamism and integrity of development. The system-forming principle that generates volitional and intellectual energy in the complex is, in fact, a person with characteristic natural interests and needs. Their external expression is contained in the duties and rights enshrined in law. The elements of the structure are considered to be various associations and communities of people, as well as stable relationships between them. In the complex, vertical interactions take place and the latter are based on various interactions that appear in the process of ensuring social life. These primarily include economic relations. They are based on security and diversity of forms of ownership. This is considered a fundamental condition for personal freedom in both civil and other societies. Also within the system are developed social cultural relations. These include ethnic, family, religious and other stable ties.

Social contours

Only a diverse, branched social structure can serve as the foundation of civil society. It reflects all the diversity and richness of interests of group members and representatives of strata. Cultural pluralism plays a significant role in the process of forming social contours. It includes all components of spiritual life, ensures equality with the participation of all individuals in creative activity. In the upper layer of society there are relationships that are associated with personal choice, political and cultural differences between interest groups.

• The concept of “civil society” was developed by European philosophers G. Leibniz, T. Hobbes, J. Locke, C. Montesquieu, T. Paine, K. Marx and others during the 17th - 19th centuries. As a result, several signs characterizing civil society were identified The presence of many associations and citizen organizations, including
• political parties
• The relative independence of these organizations from the central government
• A sense of civic responsibility of the people
• Civilized behavior

Active citizenship

What is a “social contract”?
A social contract is an agreement between citizens and the state about their rights and responsibilities. The people, who, according to the authors of the theory of the Social Contract of Hobbes, Locke, Diderot, Rousseau and others, are the supreme power in the country, delegate certain powers to the state, undertake to comply with the laws established by the state, but, in turn, have the right to observe, control and influence the activities states.

The meaning of concluding an agreement between society and the state is for citizens to gain guarantees of the security of themselves and their property, backed by the power and authority of the state. The terms of the social contract cannot be violated either by the authorities or the population without the risk of plunging society into either tyranny or anarchy.

A social contract is not a certain piece of paper with signatures and seals, but a structure of society where the people and the government are partners in building a comfortable, safe, calm, free life for people “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed. If a given form of government becomes destructive of this purpose, then the people have the right to change or abolish it and establish a new government based on such principles and with such an organization of power as, in the opinion of that people, can most contribute to their safety and happiness."

“To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed.”

Conditions for the existence of “civil society”

• Market economy
• A high sense of responsibility of citizens for themselves and their families
• High consciousness, allowing you to comply with the laws of society without coercion
• The existence in society of state-guaranteed individual rights and freedoms: freedom of speech, press, rallies, meetings
• Availability of independent media
• The existence of the right of citizens to choose public authorities, control their work, change them if they are dissatisfied with it

Elements of “civil society” in Russia

• Economics of market relations
• Existence of political parties
• Availability not political organizations citizens:
  - professional,
  - sports,
  - national-cultural,
  - confessional
• Availability of independent media

THE CONCEPT OF “CIVIL SOCIETY”

2.1. Expanding the concept of civil society

Taking into account modern socio-political realities, we will try to define the concept of “civil society”.

The concept of “civil society”, as a rule, is used in comparison with the concept of “state”. According to the German political scientist I. Izensee, “the state exists in the form of something that opposes “society”.” “State” and “civil society” are concepts that reflect different aspects of the life of society that oppose each other. Civil society constitutes the sphere of absolute freedom of private individuals in relations with each other. It appears as a social, economic, cultural space in which free individuals interact, realizing private interests and making individual choices. On the contrary, the state is a space of totally regulated relationships between politically organized subjects: state structures and political parties adjacent to them, pressure groups, etc.

Civil society and the state complement each other and depend on one another. Without a mature civil society, it is not possible to build a legal democratic state, since it is conscious free citizens who are able to create the most rational forms of human society. Thus, if civil society acts as a strong mediating link between a free individual and the centralized state will, then the state is called upon to counteract disintegration, chaos, crisis, decline and provide conditions for the realization of the rights and freedoms of an autonomous individual.

The division of civil society and the state is quite arbitrary; this is done in order to understand the mechanisms of social life, the degree of freedom and non-freedom of individuals, and the level of political development.

Thus, civil society is a set of interpersonal relationships, family, social, economic, cultural, religious and other structures that develop in society outside the framework and without government intervention. A system of institutions and interpersonal relations independent of the state creates conditions for the self-realization of individuals and their groups and the satisfaction of their everyday needs.

However, in the literature on the topic under consideration there is no single concept of civil society. Below are concepts taken from different sources; nevertheless, they are all similar, but differ in some features through which the concept is defined.

Civil society is the sphere of self-government of free, property-owning citizens voluntarily united by interests social groups and individuals; a mechanism that allows the entire society to coexist with the state and protect human rights.

Civil society is a concept denoting a set of relations (socio-economic, in the field of culture), developing relatively independently, autonomously from state power. Civil society, in a certain sense, is primary in relation to state power and presupposes the existence of a wide range of democratic rights and freedoms of members of civil society. Complete nationalization of social relations leads to the curtailment of democracy and the establishment of totalitarianism.

Civil society is, firstly, a form of human community at a certain stage of development that, with the help of labor, satisfies the needs of its individuals. This is, secondly, a complex of voluntarily formed primary associations of individuals (families, cooperations, associations, business corporations, public organizations, professional, creative, sports, ethnic, religious and other associations, except state and political structures). This is, thirdly, the totality of non-state relations in society (economic, social, family, national, spiritual, moral, religious and others; this is the industrial and private life of people, their customs, traditions, mores). This is, finally, the sphere of self-expression of free individuals and their associations, protected by laws from direct interference and arbitrary regulation of their activities by state authorities. All these elements of civil society are closely integrated, interdependent and interdependent.

The concept of civil or civil society denotes the basic principle of democracy: state and society mean a community of mature citizens who jointly determine their own destiny. In a narrower sense, civil society is defined as democratic form self-organization of society, independent of the state and outside the market.

Civil society can be thought of as a kind of social space in which people interact as individuals independent of each other and the state.

Civil society is a system for ensuring the functioning of the social, sociocultural and spiritual spheres, their reproduction and the transfer of their values ​​from generation to generation. This is a system of independent and independent of the state public institutions and relations, the tasks of which include providing conditions for the self-realization of individuals and groups, satisfying private individual or collective interests and needs. Interests and needs are expressed through such institutions of civil society as the family, church, education system, scientific, professional and other associations, associations and organizations, etc.

Based on the above definitions, the following concept can be synthesized. Civil society is a form of organization of society, which is based on a civilized, independent, full-fledged individual (on whose essential features the quality and content of civil society and the state depend) interacting with the state, through democratic institutions (elections, etc.) and civil institutions societies (trade unions, etc.).

It should also be noted that some researchers are trying to define the concept of civil society through a democratic regime. However, civil society is also possible under other regimes. Civil society exists and functions in a dialectical, contradictory unity with the state. Under a democratic regime, it is in close contact and interacts with the state; under authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, it is in passive or active opposition to the regime. The state can significantly limit the life of civil society, but it is not capable of destroying or “abolishing” it: it is primary in relation to the state, the foundation of the state. In turn, civil society can also significantly limit the functions of the state, but replace and, even more so, abolish the state with modern stage It is not capable of developing society.

By its nature, civil society is a non-political society. This is evidenced by its millennia-long history before state and pre-class development: family, economic, spiritual and other relations successfully developed outside politics and without politics. But today, in the world of active domestic, foreign and international politics conducted by states, civil society is forced to engage in politics to the extent that objective reality forces it to do so. In the depths of civil society, political associations can and do arise, and public organizations and movements are politicized to varying degrees as necessary.

Civil society represented by emerging independent

associations of people (religious and political corporations, merchant guilds, cooperatives, trade unions, etc.) designed to express and protect their group and individual interests and rights, becomes in a special relationship with the state. The more developed civil society is, the greater the basis for democratic regimes. And, conversely, the less developed civil society is, the more likely the existence of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes is.

Civil society is often identified with the sphere of private interests and needs. Man by nature has the desire to live in a community of people, but at the same time he also has the tendency to do things his own way. It goes without saying that in realizing his inclination he encounters opposition from other individuals who also strive to do everything in their own way. But in order not to destroy the vital foundations of society, human civilization created civil society and the state with their most important institutions, defining them as the goal of achieving harmony between various interests, which, as historical experience shows, has always remained an unattainable ideal, a dream, but often realized into a concrete historical compromise that saves societies from mutual destruction.

One of the main tasks of any democratic state is to modern world is to achieve consensus among citizens. This is only possible if the interests of various social groups are respected and it is possible to achieve civil harmony. Civil society plays the main role in consolidating and connecting state and personal interests. This concept is quite broad, and in this article we will try to understand it.

What is civil society

Very often, the development of the state itself directly depends on the level at which civil society is located. To understand the essence of this concept, it is necessary to give a definition. Civil society is a system of social relations and institutions that are not state. This includes formal and informal structures that provide conditions for human political and social activity.

In addition, civil society is also the satisfaction and implementation of various needs and interests of individuals, social groups and associations. It usually exists in two dimensions: social and institutional.

If we talk about the social component, then this is historical experience, which, as it were, outlines the limits of possible actions of all participants in the political process. Experience can be both collective and individual. It determines the behavior of an individual in the political arena, way of thinking and some other aspects of interpersonal relationships.

If we imagine that civil society is an institutional dimension, then it can be characterized as a set of organizations that express the interests of various segments of the population. In addition, they are trying to implement them regardless of the state.

Thus, the concept of civil society is quite broad, and different political scientists interpret it differently.

Principles of civil society

Any society has its own beliefs, and civil society is no exception. It operates based on the following principles:

Signs of civil society

Society does not depend on the state and has its own developed economic, political, legal and cultural relations between its members, therefore it is characterized by certain characteristics. The main ones are the following:

• People's consciousness is at a high level.
• There is material security, which is built on the ownership of property.
• All members of society have close connections with each other.
• There is a controlled one government, which is represented by hired workers who have the appropriate competence and ability to solve society's problems.
• Power is decentralized.
• Some power is transferred to self-government bodies.
• Any conflicts in society must be resolved by finding compromises.
• There is a real sense of collectivity, ensured by the awareness of belonging to one culture and nation.
• The personality of society is a person who is focused on spirituality and the creation of everything new.

It is also worth mentioning that developed democracy can and should also be included in the characteristics of civil society. Without it it is impossible to build a modern society. In almost any state, society has its own distinctive characteristics.

Structure of civil society

Society is also different in that it has its own structure, which necessarily includes public organizations and institutions. Their task is to ensure and create conditions for the realization of the interests of citizens and the needs of entire groups.

In addition, the structure of civil society also includes some subsystem elements, which include:

• National movements and nations.
• Classes.
• Social strata of society (for example, pensioners, students).
• Political parties or movements.
• Social movements of a mass nature (for example, trade union organizations, environmentalists, animal rights activists, etc.).
• Religious organizations.
• Public organizations (dog lovers, society of teetotalers or beer lovers).
• Various unions or associations, which may include entrepreneurs and bankers.
• A consumer society to which we can all be classified.
• Any team in production, in educational institutions.
• The family is the unit of our society, so it is also part of its structure.

It often happens that even outstanding individuals can perform the functions of a separate element of society. These include the following: A. Sakharov, A. Solzhenitsyn, D. Likhachev and others.

Functions of civil society

Any organization or association performs its specific functions. This also applies to civil society. Among the main functions are the following:

1. The production of norms and values ​​that the state approves through its sanctions.
2. The formation of the environment in which the formation of the individual takes place.
3. Creating conditions for the free development of personality based on various forms property.
4. Regulation and control of all structures of society and their relationships with each other using civil law. This makes it possible to avoid or overcome various conflicts and develop certain policies in the interests of the entire society.
5. Protecting the rights of every person and his interests by creating an extensive system of legal mechanisms.
6. Large-scale self-government in all spheres of public life.

Relations between society and state

The state and civil society are constantly interacting. Society turns to the state with its initiatives, proposals, interests and demands, most often requiring support, and above all material.

The state, in turn, meets halfway in different ways, these could be:

• Consideration of initiatives and their support or disapproval.
• Allocation of funds for the development of organizations or funds.

In almost any state, the government structures have bodies that deal with public relations. This relationship may be in different forms, for example, registering new organizations and providing them with assistance, creating conditions for material support.

In addition to special bodies, there is another form of contact between society and the state. This is when representatives of civil society are members of commissions and councils that work in the government. For example, deputies, experts and narrow professionals who possess valuable information related to the development of society.

If we consider in detail the interaction between society and the state, we can draw certain conclusions:

1. Civil and law society is a powerful lever in the system of limiting the desire of political power to dominate. This is done by participating in election campaigns. As well as the formation of public opinion with the help of independent media.
2. Civil society constantly needs state support. That is why many representatives of organizations take an active part in the work of government agencies. Despite the fact that most organizations are self-forming and independent, they still interact with the state in different forms.
3. It has a keen interest in good relations with society.

The concept of civil society is too broad and ambitious, but it necessarily implies close interaction with government agencies. It is very important for a democratic state that these relationships be trusting and close; this is the only way to have economic and political stability.

Civil society and its institutions

As we have already found out, the main element of any society is the person. Therefore, all groups and organizations must contribute to the comprehensive development of the individual and the realization of his interests.

Civil society institutions can be divided into several groups:

1. Organizations in which an individual receives everything necessary to satisfy his vital needs, for example, food, nutrition, housing. These may be trade union organizations, industrial or consumer unions.
2. The second group of institutions includes family, church, sports organizations, and creative unions. In them the individual satisfies his spiritual and physical needs.
3. Political parties and movements satisfy the needs for management activities.

Thus, the implementation of all interests of citizens is carried out by the institutions of civil society. The boundaries of these rights and freedoms constitute its main features.

Characteristic features of modern civil society

Today's times are characterized by civil society, which has the following characteristics:

• There is no complete and unified system civil structures. We can also talk about weak legal protection of citizens.
• In society one can see the division of people into poor and rich, elite and ordinary people, government officials and everyone else.
• Weak social basis society. According to estimates, the middle class accounts for 16 to 30% of all citizens.
• The unifying cultural values: respect for the individual, solidarity, trust and others are not clearly expressed.
• Citizens in most cases are passive and do not want to take part in the political and social life of the state.
• Organizations have either weak or ineffective influence on government authorities.
• The legal basis of civil society is still at the stage of formation.
• The appearance of society as a whole is influenced by both historical development and modern features.
• Now the process of formation of civil society in Russia cannot yet be called complete. This is a very long journey. Many citizens simply do not realize the role of society in the life of the state and their own.

Big problem on this moment is the alienation of many organizations, groups, institutions from the state.

Global Open Society

Global civil society is already an international sphere of manifestation of citizen initiatives, their association on a voluntary basis in organizations. This area is not amenable to government intervention or regulation. Such a society is the main basis for the development of civilization and a kind of regulator of not only the economy, but also politics in all countries of the world.

An open global society has its own characteristics:

1. There is a rapid change of officials based on public opinion.
2. The same can be said about the elite of society.
3. Availability of accessible media that are not subject to government censorship.
4. Availability social networks, in which citizens can influence each other.
5. Public opinion depends on citizens' assessments.
6. All rights and freedoms are realized in reality, and not just on paper.
7. Self-government is at a high level.
8. The state is pursuing correct social policy.
9. The middle class also has weight in society.
10. Behind government agencies control by public organizations.

Thus, we can say that a global society is one in which the state does not dominate the relations of citizens.

Society and its development

If we talk about the development of civil society, we can safely say that it is not finished yet. This applies not only to our country, but also to all other world states.

Most political scientists argue that the formation of civil society began in ancient times, for example, in Greece and Rome there were separate elements of society. There was a development of trade and crafts, this led to the emergence of commodity-money production, which was consolidated in Roman private law.

If we talk about European regions, we can distinguish several stages in the development of society:

1. The first stage can be dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries. At this time, political, economic, and ideological prerequisites for the development of civil society began to appear. This is the rapid development of industry, trade, division of labor, the development of commodity-money relations, an ideological revolution, the formation of culture and art.
2. The second stage begins in the 17th century and continues until the 19th century. This period was marked by the formation of civil society in the most developed countries in the form of capitalism, which was based on private enterprise.
3. The 20th century is the beginning of the third stage of development, which continues to the present day.

If we talk about the development of civil society in Russia at the present time, we can note a number of features:

• Our society has an underdeveloped political culture.
• Many citizens lack social responsibility.
• Initially, Russia belonged to those countries that are more oriented towards the state than towards society. Such stereotypes are quite difficult to correct.
• There is no powerful social layer that would be able to lead the social movement, so the main role in this is given to the state.

The formation of civil society is a long and almost continuous process in which both citizens and the state take active and equal participation. If it is possible to form a modern legal civil society, then the state will be forced to obey the laws and serve for the benefit of citizens.