Types of citizen participation in the political life of the country. Mechanisms and forms of participation of citizens in political life

Political participation in the general sense is group or private actions that are able to influence the power of which level it is. At the present stage, this phenomenon is considered as complex and multidimensional. It includes a large number of techniques that help influence power. The participation of citizens into the degree of activity depend on the factors of social, psychological, cultural and historical, economic and other character. Individual implements it when it comes into formal, ordered relationships with different groups or with other people.

Political participation is three species:

• unconscious (non-free), that is, that is based on coercion, for the custom or on spontaneous action;
• conscious, but also non-free, when a person is forced to mean it to follow some regulations, standards;
• conscious and at the same time free, that is, the individual is able to make a choice independently, thereby expanding the limits of their own capabilities in the world of politics.

Sydney Verba and created their theoretical model participation of the first type they are called parokalny, that is, such that is limited to elementary interests; The second type is subject, and the third is partitioning. Also, these scientists have allocated transitional forms of activity in which the features of two bordering types are combined.

Political participation and its forms are constantly evolving. His old species are improved and new in the course of any socio-historical process arise. This is especially true of transitional moments, for example, to the republic from the monarchy, to multiparties from the lack of such organizations, to independence from the position of the colony, to democracy from authoritarianism, etc. In 18-19 centuries, against the background of universal modernization, there was also an expansion of political participation in various Groups and categories of the population.

Since the activity of people is determined by many factors, the uniform classification does not exist. One of them offers to consider political participation in the following indicators:

• legitimate (elections, petitions, demonstrations and rallies agreed with authorities) and illegitimate (terrorism, coup, uprising or other forms of disobedience of citizens);
• institutionalized (participation in the work of the party, voting) and non-relationalized (groupings that have political goals and are not recognized by law, mass excitement);
• having local character and national.

Typology can also have other options. But in any case, it must comply with the following criteria:

Political participation should manifest itself in the form of a specific act, and not just at the level of emotions;

It must be voluntary (the exception is the service in the army, paying taxes or a festive demonstration in totalitarianism);

It should also be completed with a real choice, that is, be not fictitious, but valid.

Some scientists, including Lipsets and Huntington, believe that the type of political regime is involved in the type of participation. For example, during a democratic device, it happens voluntarily and autonomously. And with the participation of mobilized, forced, when the masses are attracted only symbolically, to simulate support for power. Some forms of activity can even distort the psychology of groups and individuals. The bright evidence of this is the fascism and varieties of totalitarianism.

Hypermarket Knowledge \u003e\u003e Social Studies \u003e\u003e Social Studies 10 Classroom \u003e\u003e Participation of a Citizen in Political Life

" Thoughts wise

"There is a minimum level of education and awareness, out of the way, all the voting becomes its actual caricature."
I. A. Ilyin (1882-1954). Russian philosopher

24. " Participation of a citizen in the political life

Can a ordinary citizen affect the political process? Why do you need a culture of democracy? What are the paths of political self-improvement of the person?

Political life is dynamic and changeable. It involves people, social groups ownership of elites with their hopes, expectations, level of culture and education. The interests of various socio-political forces are intertwined here. The interaction of subjects of policies on the conquest, deduction and use of state power generates political processes in society.

What is the political process?

Essence of the political process

In the most common political process - This is a chain of political events and states that change as a result of the interaction of specific policies. For example, other political leaders and governments come to replace. A parliament has been updated, one parties disappear from the political scene, others appear. The state of stability is becoming a strengthening of tension in society, new situations arise, each of which is peculiar and unique.

Our life is eating from individual political processes: large and small, random and natural. Political scientists classify them in different ways. So, on scale stand out internal political and foreign policy (international) processes. Domestic political processes are important to develop on nationwide (national), regional, local levels (for example, the electoral process); They are not so significant for society (for example, the formation of a separate party), and the changes to reflect changes in it. From the point of view of significance to society, political processes are divided into basic and private.

The dynamics of all political life is as a rule, as a rule, the basic political process (for example, "Society Democratization"). It characterizes the operation of the entire political system as a mechanism for the formation and implementation of political power. As a result, changes in all spheres of public life are observed. (Give examples.)

The basic process defines the content of private processes: economic and political, political and legal, cultural and political processes. An example of one of the private cultural and political processes is the modernization of education in the Russian Federation, the PACCMENT in paragraphs "Science and Education", "Political System". (Remember how the interaction of the political system and the environment is carried out within the framework of the process. What stages did it include?)

We emphasize that for basic, and for private political processes the following stages are characterized, or steps:

a) representing interests (requirements) with power structures;
b) decision-making;
c) Implementation of peeks.

The political process is always aimed at solving any political problem. We are talking about the most significant problems for society, those that require the intervention of the authorities. For example, the deterioration of the performance of some students is a private problem of individual schools and families. And the state of the education system in the country as a whole is a political problem. It is such problems that the agenda of politics. Their solution becomes an object - the purpose of the political process, which, with leads to certain results (improving the quality of education, the creation of new management structures and the increase of EGO efficiency, etc.). However, the political process can only take place if there are specific subjects of the participants in the process. These include initiators, i.e. those who declare the problem, and performers, that is, those who are able to provide its consistent decision.

Citizens, interested groups, political parties and movements, professional and creative unions, youth, female and other organizations, media are initiated by the initiators of political processes in a democratic society. (The essence and significance of their actions will be discussed below, when studying the issue of political participation.)

The decision of political problems belongs to performers - previously under the authority institutions and the authorities of officials, as well as assigned to these goals to people from non-governmental OPGUNIs. (Remember who, as in which forms, the question of the modernization of education was resolved.)

Performers political process A choose CPEA. Methods and resources for EGO implementation. Resources are important to serve knowledge, science, technical and financial resources, public opinion, etc.

The outcome (result) of the political process largely depends on the totality of internal and external factors. Internal factors include, for example, the competence and ability of the authorities to correctly assess the situation, elective to it and methods, to be implemented by the decisions taken in the Coverships with the norms of law. Important importance is worth the competence and civil liability of those who are addressed to these decisions. The inconsistency of all elements of the political process, i.e., subjects, objects (purposes), funds, methods and resources of the performers, with leads to unpredictable results (the processes of restructuring, the creation of CHH, etc.).

Within the framework of political processes, in solving problems, various interests of social groups intersect, causing some difficult-time contradictions and conflicts. An example is the transformation of a walf device, for example, a constitutional PEForm in Russia, which was held in acute confrontation of the Torons of the Presidential Republic and their opponents. No less acute is the struggle and other political problems. (Give examples.)

From the point of view of publicity, the adoption of power solutions allocate open and hidden (shadow) political processes.

With an open political process, the interests of groups and citizens are revealed in the programs of parties, in election voting, through the accounting of public opinion, through public appeals and the requirements of people to gloomy to the authorities, consulting power structures with stakeholders and jointly developing a number of documents.

In contrast to the open hidden (shadow), the political process is characterized by the closeness and uncontrolcity of state decisions. They are accepted by officials and authorities under the influence of publicly unrelated, socially recognized (tee) structures, such as mafia corporations and clans.

democratic society power is designed to act openly. Allow socio-political contradictions and conflicts before weego non-violent methods. The main one is the coordination of interests based on the search for compromise and the achievements of consensus (from Lat. Consensus - consent).

Consequently, genuine democratic processes are the processes open, occurring in front of the community of society and with EGO conscious active political participation.

Political participation

Political participation - These are a citizen's actions in order to influence the adoption and implementation of gloomy decisions, the choice of representatives to the institutions of power. This concept is characterized by the involvement of members of the company in the political process.

The amount of possible participation is determined by political rights and freedoms. In a democratic society, they include: the right to elect and be elected to public authorities, the right to participate in the management of state management directly and through its representatives; The right to unite into public operations, including in political parties; the right to hold rallies, demonstrations, processions and picketing; the right to access the public service; The right to appeal to state-owned.

Recall that the implementation of rights has borders (measure) and is governed by laws, other regulatory acts. Thus, the right to access the public service is organized by a certain register of government posts. The right to gather on rallies, demonstration - the management that they should pass peacefully, without OVI, after the preliminary notification of the authorities. 3 The organization and activities of political parties aimed at a violent change in the foundations of the constitutional system, inciting social, racial, national, religious retail, etc.

The established regulatory limitations, requirements and prohibitions are introduced in the interests of the safety of personality, society and the state, the protection of morality and public about the order.

Political part happens indirect (pp.) and immediate (straight) . Indirect participation is carried out through elected representatives. Direct participation is the impact of a citizen to power without intermediaries. It is manifested in the following forms:

The reaction of citizens (positive or negative) on impulses emanating from the political system;
- periodic participation in the actions related to the election of representatives, with the transfer of authority to them for making decisions;
- the participation of citizens in the activities of political parties, socio-political organizations and movements;
- Impact on political processes through appeals and letters, meetings with political figures;
- Direct actions of citizens (participation in rallies, picketings, etc.);
- The activities of political leaders.

Indicated forms of political activity Most to be gppos, mass and individual . So, a ordinary citizen who wants to influence politics, usually joins a group, party or movement, whose political positions coincide or are close to EGO. A member of the party, for example, showing activity in the affairs of its organization and election campaigns, is constantly and the most effective impact on power. (Explain why.)

Often, citizens, groups or teams, perturbed by the injustice of the state solution, will ensure the revision of the EGO. They contact petitions, letters and applications to the relevant instances, on radio and television, in the editorial office of newspapers and magazines. The problem acquires public resonance and forces power, as already noted, change or adjust its decision.

No less effective is the mass shares. For example, in Russia, the rallies of teachers, doctors, miners against untimely payments of wages, under work conditions or growing unemployment. Political scientists call these forms with protests, for they are a negative reaction of people on the situation in society.

The most developed and extremely important form of political participation are democratic elections. This is necessary, minimum of political activities guaranteed by constitutions. Within the framework of the Institute of Election, each full-fledged citizen makes its individual action, voting for any party, any candidate or political leader. Attaching your voice to the votes of other voters who have made the same choice, it directly affects the composition of the NaPOs, and hence the political course. Therefore, participation in the election is the responsible business. Here it is impossible to succumb to the first impressions and emotions, for the danger to get under the influence of populism. Populism (from Lat. Populus - the people) is an activity, the purpose of which to ensure popularity in the masses of the price of unreasonable promises, demagogic slogans, appeals to the simplicity and clearness of the measures proposed. Pre-election promises require a critical attitude.

Referendums are closely adjacent to elections - voting on legislative or other issues. Thus, the Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted on a national referendum.

Political part can be permanent (membership in the party), periodic (participation in elections), one-time (appeal to the authorities). Nevertheless, it is always directed, as we found out, to do something (change the situation, to elect a new composition of the legislative OPGAA) or to prevent something (worsening the social conditions of people).

Unfortunately, in each society, some groups of citizens evade their participation in politics. Many of them believe that they are out of political games. In practice, such a position, called abssentitis, strengthens a certain political line and can cause damage to the state. For example, a non-appearance to the elections can take them and thereby paralyzing the most important links of the political system. Citizens, boycotting elections, are sometimes included in political processes, especially in conflict situations when their interests are affected. But political participation can cause disappointment, because it is not always effective. Here, many depends on whether political actions or irrational are rational. The first is actions conscious and planned, with understanding of goals and means. Second - actions, motivated mainly by the emotional state of people (irritation, indifference, etc.), impressions of the events occurring. In this regard, the regalityment of political behavior is of particular importance, i.e., compliance with political rules and norms. So, even a sanctioned and organized rally may have unpredictable consequences if the participants act mainly irrationally and not according to the rules (allow for hooligan antics, an insult of opponents, abuse of government symbols). Extremely dangerous violent, extremist forms of behavior, the type of which is terrorism. (What are the EGO goals, essence and consequences? If difficulty will arise, refer to the task 3.)

We emphasize that violence and enmity generate only violence and enmity. An alternative to this is a civil court. Recently, new mechanisms for political communication of people are emerging: public monitoring of political norms, predicting the effects of political actions, a constructive dialogue of political forces. This requires the participants in the political process of a new democratic political culture.

Political culture

Political culture Personality suggests: in first, versatile political knowledge; WO-VTOPY, orientation on the values \u200b\u200band rules of life democratic society; Thirdly, mastering these rules (ways of practical political actions - models of behavior). In the aggregate, they characterize a democratic political culture. Consider each of its components.

Political knowledge - This is the knowledge of a person about politics, a political system, about various political ideologies, as well as about those institutions and procedures with the help of the participation of citizens in the political process. Political knowledge is important to include both scientific and everyday ideas. In everyday ideas, political phenomena are often distorted, the consensus is interpreted as an agreement, and Democracy - as the limitless opportunities to do everything you wish. Scientific knowledge is the result of mastering the foundations of political science and are designed to adequately reflect political reality.

A person who owns scientific knowledge is able to independently navigate and evaluate political information, confront the attempts to manipulate the EGO political consciousness, which, unfortunately, is not in politics.

Political value orientations - These are the ideas of a person about the ideals and values \u200b\u200bof a reasonable or desired public device. They are formed under the influence of knowledge of politics, personal emotionally related to political phenomena and their estimates.

Many Russians, as noted by political scientists, have no lasting and conscious orientations for approval in the country of democratic values \u200b\u200brecorded in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. (List them.) The weakness of the political positions of citizens is one of the reasons that make it difficult to achieve agreement in society, contributes to the emergence of nationalist and other radical political movements. And on the contrary, the commitment to democratic ideals and values \u200b\u200bencourages a person to targeted, more often to constructive, actions.

Methods of practical political actions are samples and rules of political behavior that determine how it can be done. Many scientists call them models of political behavior, because any form of political participation of a citizen is supposed to comply with one, but a number of political rules. For example, participation in the elections involves the analysis and the monitor from the standpoint of certain requirements of the pre-election propamm and personal qualities of applicants for power. A combination of a voter actions according to regulatory requirements (rules) and will be a model (sample) of the EGO of political behavior.

Political consciousness predetermines political behavior, which, in turn, actively affects political consciousness.

We emphasize that democratic political culture is actually actually in political behavior, and not in words.

Essential signs of democratic culture political scientists belong to socio-cultural values. Their successful implementation in many ways depends on the availability of participants in the policies of such personal qualities as criticality, initiative and creativity, humanism, peacefulness, tolerance (respect for someone else's opinion), civil liability for their political choice and the EGO implementation methods.

Thus, the democratic type of political culture has a pronounced humanistic orientation and has worldwide significance. It embodies the best samples of the political experience of many countries of the world.

Practical findings

1 For one to understand this or that political process, you need to find out who exactly acts as an initiator, in whose interests it is carried out, who is and as able to provide EGO consistent development. Since the real process is always influenced by various political forces, it is advisable to overtake their alignment. In other words, it should be determined which layer, the social group is in the center of events, dominate them. This will make it possible to draw conclusions about the XAPActer and the directivity of the changes.

2 Independent information about the political process will allow MPAMTO and consciously engage in NEGO: to elect adequate forms of political participation, comprehend the goals and means of their political actions.

3 Political actions should be carried out by the established standards and rules, without excessive emotionality.

4 The consistent implementation of the tips outlined above will contribute to the establishment of a film-based political culture.

Document

From the "memories" of the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, 6th federal Chancellor of Germany V. Brandt.

In fifteen years ... I spoke in the Lubek newspaper Volksboten, saying that how young socialists we should prepare for political struggle, should be incentive to work on themselves, to improve, and not kill their time with only dancing, and songs. Where there is no place to civil courage, there is freedom of naevst. And where at the right moment does not protect freedom, it can be returned to it only at the price of the victims. This is the lesson of our century.

When in early summer, 1987, I resigned from the post of Chairman of the Party, he asked himself: what, in addition to the world, is it more important for you? And replied: freedom. I defined it as freedom of conscience and opinions, freedom from the need and fear.

Questions and tasks for the document

1. As you understand the author's thought: "Where there is no place to civil courage, there freedom is short-lived"? Is this thought relevant today? Argument your answer.
2. What, according to V. Brandt, was the essence and purpose of the preparation of young socialists to actively participate in the parties of the party?
3. Should, in your opinion, the modern Russian youth entering political life, prepare for political struggle? Reply explain the answer.

Questions for self-test

1 What is a political process?
2. What types of political processes are you known?
3. What are the structure and stages of the political process?
4. What is the essence of political participation?
5. What are the possible forms of political activity of citizens?
6. Why is political participation not ECDA effectively?
7. What is political culture?

TASKS

1. Some political scientists compare the political process with two-way Janus - the Roman deities of doors, entrance and exit, all of the start, one person is facing the past, dpugoe - to the future. How do you understand this cope? On concrete measures, expand the essence of the ELO.

The political process involves various forms of 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 by which or actions of the government;
• - single stocks, quite noticeable to have a political weight;
• - participation in political parties and organizations, participation in the management of the country, in the adoption of laws;
• - participation of citizens in polls;
• - appeals and complaints in the superior structures of individuals or groups of citizens;
• - lobbying activities;
• - Network participation - blogs, electronic newspapers, and other Internet resources.

Passive forms of participation:

• - Social apathy as a factor in the distrust of citizens to the government and, accordingly, all non-participation in the elections;
• - ignoring social events, such as Saturdays, rallies and demonstrations, upon invitation or urgent recommendation to come to it;
• - the noteworthy of anything caused by dissatisfaction with some government actions. For example: a small payment provided by the individual, which he considers it offensive and does not receive it, they say, thanks not to.

The basis for the participation of the population in the political life of society is the participation of most citizens in the elections, which are held regularly, through a certain time provided by law.

In democratic countries, elections are conducted on the basis of general and equal election law. Election districts are created for the elections in order to be elected equal to the number of residents or voters. And only then is the actual equality of electoral law.

A very responsible political event is the nomination of applicants for elective posts. To determine and campaigning for them, a pre-election company is organized. Candidates can be nominated by public organizations, parties or on their own initiative of applicants. Real chances of being elected have, of course, candidates from political parties. The principles of democratic policies require that parties and candidates make the electoral company in equal terms. Implement this requirement in practice is not easy.

Pre-election campaign ends the day before the vote, the order of which is strictly regulated by law. It should be secret. The voter alone in the cockpit fills the bulletin and he must lower it in the urn. Special attention is paid to the counting of votes. So that there were no disorders and swelling when opening the urn and counting of votes, the presence of foreign observers is allowed. The balls themselves are sealed.

Votes are calculated on the basis of certain rules. The combination of such rules is called the electoral system. Two electoral systems are the most common: a majority system (majority) and a system of proportional representation.

• 1) In the majoritarian system, the candidate who received most votes votes is considered to be, and it has two varieties: the absolute majority and relative majority. In the majoritarian system of the absolute majority, the candidate wins, for which 50% of voters took part in the elections voted. If the winner is not detected, the second round of elections is held, in which two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the first round. In the majority system of the relative majority, the victory is given to the candidate who has gained more voices than each of his rivals individually, even if he was supported less than half of the polling stations.
• 2) With a proportional system, each party puts the lists of candidates in the election. In accordance with them and the number of informed votes for this batch, the number of deputies is determined. This system allows even small parties to have their representatives in government. So that this does not happen in the legislation of many countries, including Ukraine and Russia, a barrage point is established, which does not allow to obtain deputy powers to those parties that received less than 4-5% of votes.

The next form of political participation is a referendum. The referendum is the vote of the population to foreign policy. In elections, voters determine who from candidates will represent their interests in the Legislative Assembly or will take a selected post. At the referendum, they themselves make decisions on the constitutional or legislative issue issued on the voting.

Currently, the constitution of many states provide for the possibility or obligation in a number of cases of referendums. The initiative of its conduct is provided to the head of state, parliament, public organizations, people. The most important issues of the political life of the country are made to a national referendum: the adoption of the Constitution and amendments to it, a change in the form of a state-owned device or the form of government, the adoption of new or abolition of current laws, the country's accession to the international organization, etc. The results of the referendum have no legal force, but the opinion of the people has a huge political force and is accepted by the government and president for execution. For example, when the Supreme Council of Russia could not adopt the Constitution - the President turned to the people. In preparation for the referendum, the constituencies are not created. The decision was considered that the majority of citizens who ordered in the referendum voted. In order for a referendum to more precisely express the will of the people, it should be preceded by a wide and comprehensive discussion issued on the voting of the issue. The form of political participation of the people in management is also a plebiscite. As well as a referendum, he is designed to determine the opinion of voters by voting. In the sphere of interstate relations, the plebiscite is used to survey the population on the belonging of the territory on which it lives, by a particular state. Inside the political life, the plebiscite acts as one of the types of referendum on the issue of trusting the head of the state and the policy implemented by it. The requirement for holding plebiscite may proceed not only from the people who are dissatisfied with political leadership, but also from the leadership itself. Thus, plebiscite is a direct expression of the will of the people. But the story indicates that people can be deceived and people who will then betray his interests with his help. Depending on the level of economic and political culture, the mentality of the people of this state, the political participation of the people in the life of society can lead or to the stability of political life or, on the contrary, to political conflicts and instability of the political system.

The participation of a citizen in political life is considered a mandatory element of modern society. With its help, people become active subjects of political life, influence important public problems, determine the conditions of their own existence.

Features of participation

The participation of citizens in the political life of the country is a variety political activities. It consists in the impact of citizens at the adoption of various important decisions in the state.

Specific traits

It is necessary to make certain clarifications for this term. The participation of a citizen in political life involves the influence of ordinary citizens to the life of society. This term does not take into account officials endowed with state authorities performing direct managerial functions.

The participation of citizens in the political life of the state is not associated with professional people's activities which are part of force, executive, representative, power structures. Officials and professional policies act as ordinary countries in the country only during the voting procedure.

Options for participation

The possibility of citizens' participation in political life is voluntary, not mandatory for all residents.

All events that concern "participation for money" do not relate to the active life position. The participation of a citizen in political life should not be associated with campaigning for some candidate, a party.

Absenteeism

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

Forms of participation

Consider the main forms of participation of citizens in political life. Among them are particular interest to mass manifestations. These include picketing, demonstrations, rallies, strikes.

In addition, the participation of citizens in the political life of society is manifested in voting on referendums and elections. Citizens can express their own position, the view of the activities of various political parties, using the media. The view of the adoption of certain laws, the level of their execution, ordinary citizens can be submitted in the form of appeals, letters to the 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 control the activities of municipal and state bodies.

Common option

What are the possibilities of participation of citizens in political life? As the most common forms of such activities, you can consider participation in various elections. In those countries in which there is a developed democracy, the number of citizens who take part in national elected campaigns reaches 90 percent. On average, the indicator is 50-80 percent.

Classification

What are the possibilities of participation of citizens in political life? Given the variety of forms, it is customary to classify them on different grounds. Perhaps legal participation, which is permitted by legislative acts. Terrorism refers to the illegal type of political activity, it is prohibited by law.

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

According to the nature of actions, there is a constant action characteristic of activists, as well as episodic participation of citizens in political life (elections, referendums).

To demonstrate their attitude to the actions of political parties, state structures, ordinary citizens can at the local or regional level.

The focus of action

Forms of participation differ in the direction of actions. For example, citizens want to realize private interests during a rally, or a strike aims to resolve the serious situation in the city. An option of participation of citizens in political life depends on the resources and efforts that participants will be attached to cope with their task. For example, when a protest demonstration regarding the reduction of employees in the enterprise, citizens must be prepared for overcoming pressure from the Company's management.

Motivation of political participation

What are the possibilities of participation of citizens in political life at present? Why do people strive for such activities? What is the main purpose of political participation? G. Parry, which has been studying this problem for several years, noted that there are three main explanations of the phenomenon of political participation.

The most common form of participation is the instrumental model. As the main motive, the possibility of implementing group or individual interests. People are trying in such a way to get decisions from state power, actions that will be beneficial for them.

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

The educational model implies an appeal not to sources of participation, but on the results of activity. Political activities of citizens are an important element of socialization. For some people, political participation turns into an important part of life, is the possibility of implementing its abilities, creative potential.

The main motives of participation are rational tool principles. The actions of the citizens are aimed at creating, adopting, as well as the introduction of state decisions, the search for decent representatives to the institutions of power.

Groups of citizens

The volume of admissible participation is limited by the political rights of citizens. For this indicator, the population is divided into two groups. One of them represents political elite. The basis of the activities of such people is politics. These include representatives of parties, government authorities. In the second group there are ordinary people.

Their political activity is voluntary activities, the desire to influence the authorities of state power.

Some scientists adhere to the position, according to which participation is considered as the political effect of both groups. There are those who allocate only the actions of ordinary citizens as political participation.

Not all people become professional public and politicians, so let's talk about the actions of ordinary citizens. You can participate in the political life of the country in two ways. The first option involves direct participation, the second is indirect (representative) action.

As examples of direct participation, you can note the visits to rallies, participation in picketing, voting in elections, letters and appeals to government agencies, activities in political parties.

Indirect participation is made by choosing representatives from parties, groups. It is their ordinary citizens who give the authority to make decisions. For example, a delegate will be able to become an active participant in the Parliamentary Commission, will negotiate with power structures, to establish informal relations with representatives of state power.

Such types of political participation correspond to certain political roles: Party members, a voter, a petition initiator. Regardless of the selected role, an active part is supposed to be an active part.

Autonomous participation implies voluntary and free actions of citizens related to the manifestation of a certain political position regarding the persecution of personal or group interests.

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

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

American political scientist S. Verba stressed that only for a democratic society it is possible to talk about the effective mechanism of political participation of ordinary citizens in society. This is manifested in transmitting people who are not professional politicians, information about their own preferences, interests, needs of government representatives.

For example, citizens who are outraged by the injustice that exists in society make up petitions, perform on television, prepare letters protests into power structures. In specific situations, it is possible to organize rallies, strikes aimed at solving the established problem.

Such behavior of the population is positive. The authorities are forced to listen to the position of ordinary citizens, adjust the decision.

Conclusion

Each citizen has the right to participate in the political life of his country. To take advantage of them, two main factor are needed: personality consciousness, culture of democracy. The basis of the creation of the main political processes is the direct participation of people in the political life of their state.

The political participation of citizens is influenced by the situation in society. Depending on what the level of state development is possible to attract various segments of the population.

Social differentiation leads to certain socio-political forces, such as parties, organizations.

Is there an ordinary citizen with the opportunity to influence the political process? What is the purpose of a culture of democracy in modern society? Political activity is constantly being upgraded, it is considered a dynamic system.

It includes social groups, people owned by the elite. Each structure pursues its mercenary interests, has a certain level of culture, education.

It is in the interaction of subjects of modern politics that conquest, deterrence, the application of state power, the modernization of political processes in society.