Political participation V in a general sense- these are group or private actions aimed at influencing the government, whatever its level. On modern stage this phenomenon is viewed as complex and multidimensional. It includes a large number of techniques to help influence government. The participation of citizens in the degree of activity depends on factors of social, psychological, cultural-historical, economic and other nature. An individual realizes it when he enters into formal, ordered relationships with different groups or with other people.
There are three types of political participation:
- unconscious (unfree), that is, one that is based on coercion, custom or spontaneous action;
- conscious, but also not free, when a person is forced to meaningfully follow some regulations and norms;
- conscious and at the same time free, that is, the individual is able to make a choice independently, thereby expanding the limits of his own capabilities in the world of politics.
Sidney Verba and created their theoretical model of participation of the first type they call parochial, that is, one that is limited to elementary interests; the second type is subservient, and the third is participatory. These scientists also identified transitional forms activities that combine the features of two bordering types.
Political participation and its forms are constantly evolving. Its old types are improved and new ones arise in the course of any socio-historical process that has significance. This is especially true for transitional moments, for example, to a republic from a monarchy, to a multi-party system from the absence similar organizations, to independence from the position of the colony, to democracy from authoritarianism, etc. In the 18-19 centuries, against the backdrop of general modernization, there was an expansion of political participation by different groups and categories of the population.
Since human activity is determined by many factors, there is no single classification of its forms. One of them suggests considering political participation according to the following indicators:
- legitimate (elections, petitions, demonstrations and rallies coordinated with the authorities) and illegitimate (terrorism, coup, uprising or other forms of citizen disobedience);
- institutionalized (participation in party work, voting) and non-institutionalized (groups that have political goals and are not recognized by law, mass unrest);
- having a local and national character.
Typology may have other options. But in any case, it must meet the following criteria:
Political participation must manifest itself in the form of a concrete act, and not simply at the emotional level;
It must be voluntary (with the exception of military service, paying taxes or a holiday demonstration under totalitarianism);
It must also end with a real choice, that is, it must not be fictitious, but real.
Some scholars, including Lipset and Huntington, believe that the type of participation is directly influenced by the type political regime. For example, in a democratic system it occurs voluntarily and autonomously. And with participation it is mobilized, forced, when the masses are attracted only symbolically, to imitate support for the authorities. Some forms of activism can even distort the psychology of groups and individuals. Fascism and varieties of totalitarianism provide clear evidence of this.
In each state, depending on the political regime, level of development civil society And political culture citizens, historical traditions and other factors determine one or another form and degree of citizen involvement in the political process. This involvement of ordinary citizens in politics is called political participation.
Political participation should be distinguished from such similar concepts as political activity and political behavior.
Political activity is a combination organized actions policy subjects aimed at implementing common tasks political system. Political activity is implementation political strategy and tactics carried out primarily by institutionalized political actors (government bodies, political parties, pressure groups, etc.). In other words, this is the activity of political professionals performing their functional duties. Although both non-professional and non-institutionalized participants cannot be completely excluded from general political activity.
Political behavior reflects qualitative characteristics participation and activity, motivational and emotional component in the actions of an individual or group taking part in one or another political process.
Political participation is the involvement of citizens in the political process, in the Customs Union or other political actions. Here we're talking about first of all, about the participation in politics of ordinary citizens who do not claim the “title” of professional politicians, for example, the participation of ordinary voters in the election campaign.
The involvement of citizens in the political process, as mentioned above, depends on many factors, including the confidence of a particular voter that his vote in the elections will have an impact positive influence to solve his personal problems and improve general situation in the country. However, in real life some citizens, disappointed in the effectiveness of their personal participation in the political process, do not want to participate in it, others do not participate due to their passivity, others ignore political events for reasons of principle; there is a category of citizens who do not have the opportunity and means to take part in the political process. For example, such people prefer to work in their garden on Election Day. Aristotle pointed out this problem. He, in particular, complained that people of middle income (the most stable and balanced in society) are little involved in politics, since they are forced to earn their living when others are protesting.
IN political theory They highlight, in particular, the following reasons for the involvement of individuals and groups in the political process:
the desire to benefit from political participation;
participation as a desire to protect one’s interests, for example, to prevent a reduction in production in a certain industry;
participation as an expression of loyalty the existing regime authorities or as an act of support for one or another political party, movements;
wish life success and public recognition through participation in politics;
understanding public duty and realizing one’s own civil rights;
understanding (awareness) public importance upcoming political event;
mobilization participation - use in various ways coercion or encouragement in order to attract citizens to participate in a particular political event. For example, during the Soviet era, a person who refused to go to a vote or rally could be deprived of his thirteenth salary or the queue for housing could be pushed back. During the presidential elections in Yakutia at the end of 2001, voters were lured into polling stations valuable gifts.
There are two main forms of political participation of citizens in the political process: direct and indirect. Direct participation occurs when an individual or group personally participates in a particular political event, for example in the election of members of parliament. Indirect participation is carried out through its representatives. For example, a popularly elected parliament, on behalf of its voters, forms a government, issues laws, i.e. implements political administration country.
Researchers share different kinds participation into three main types:
1) participation-solidarity aimed at supporting the existing political system;
2) participation-demand or protest aimed at partial or radical change in the existing course of development of society;
3) deviant participation - the use of unconstitutional, including violent, methods with the aim of overthrowing the existing regime.
The role, meaning and forms of political participation largely depend on the type of political system and political regime of power. IN democratic system political participation is one of the forms of citizen participation in government. It performs such functions as putting forward demands for making the necessary political decisions, coordinating the political course of the government and the president, and monitoring the implementation of certain political decisions. Political participation can also confirm or deny the legitimacy of an existing political regime. The most important function of political participation in a democratic society is participation in elections with the aim of shaping government agencies authorities. Among other things, political participation is effective form political socialization of citizens.
In a totalitarian political system As a rule, only one form of political participation of citizens is allowed - mobilization. Initiatives unauthorized by the authorities are punishable there. Usually, for the next demonstration of the unity of the people and the ruling elite (party or leader), parades, processions, rallies, election campaigns are held; the number of participants, forms and results of which are predetermined ruling regime. Such mobilization participation is one of the methods of political manipulation and an imitation of the real participation of citizens in the political process.
Political participation is the actions through which ordinary members of society influence or try to influence the functioning of the political system, the formation political institutions and the policy-making process.
Political participation can include actions to delegate powers (electoral behavior); activist activities aimed at supporting candidates and parties in election campaigns; attending rallies and participating in demonstrations; participation in party activities, etc.
American political scientist M. Weiner identifies three main features of political participation:
Firstly, it is defined as a specific action that has a verbal expression, and not personal experiences and internal preferences;
Second, political participation represents the voluntary actions of citizens (thus excluding actions such as serving in the military and paying taxes);
Thirdly, political participation presupposes the presence of a certain choice (thus, voting in obviously uncontested elections is excluded). Gadzhiev, K.S. Political science. A guide for passing the exam. M.: Higher Education, 2006. p. 123.
At the same time, some scientists, in particular S. Huntington, do not agree with the attribution of exclusively voluntary and conscious actions to political participation. Based on this, S. Huntington distinguishes two of its varieties:
Autonomous participation, which is the conscious activity of individual citizens whose goal is to influence the position and activities of politicians elected by the electorate;
Mobilized participation - forced actions caused by non-political incentives (fear, sense of duty, bribery, etc.).
If the first version of political participation is common in modern Western polyarchies, then the second is characteristic of traditional societies and totalitarian political regimes. Thus, the type of political participation is largely determined by the nature of the existing political regime in a given country.
Political participation allows us to identify the real role of a citizen, individual layers, groups, classes both at the local level and in the political system of society. If citizens accept Active participation in the formation of the elite, in determining the main goals of policy, and monitoring its implementation, then such a political system can be considered based on participation. In such a society, political elites play the role of loyal servants of society, adequately representing the interests of the masses.
Political participation depends on the political regime. Thus, in a democratic society this participation is universal, free, proactive and effective in resolving issues affecting the essential interests of citizens. It is for them a means of achieving goals, fulfilling their needs for self-expression and self-affirmation, and demonstrating a sense of citizenship. A democratic state ensures such free participation through legal norms and procedures, as well as a relatively even distribution among various sectors of society of such participation resources as money, education, knowledge of decision-making mechanisms, free time, and access to the media. A democratic society allows such forms of protest and disagreement as rallies, demonstrations, processions, picketing, strikes, and petitions.
An authoritarian regime excludes part of the population completely or partially from participation in politics. A totalitarian society seeks to mobilize the masses for ritual actions of support for the regime. Citizens are forced under pain of punishment and economic sanctions go to rallies and demonstrations organized by the ruling elite. In this case, the political participation of the masses is strictly controlled by the ruling group and is manipulated to strengthen power. In dictatorial totalitarian society All forms of political protest and even dissent are prohibited. Those who disagree with the ongoing political course are declared enemies of the people, criminals; Repression is applied to them.
actions taken by individuals or groups to influence public policy, government state affairs or to choose political leaders.
Excellent definition
Incomplete definition ↓
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Greek politike - politics) - impact political subjects on the political system and its elements; political decision making process. One of the most common domestic classifications political behavior provides for the identification of such forms of political participation as active participation, including participation in elections, referendums, rallies, demonstrations, participation in the activities of political organizations and state institutions, and passive participation, implying refusal active actions in the political sphere, as well as such a form of behavior in the everyday and “official” life of a person, which is limited to compliance with established standards. According to the classification of the English scientist A. Marsh, there are three main types of political participation: 1) orthodox participation - actions that ensure the stable functioning of the political system (participation in voting, lobbying, authorized rallies, demonstrations); 2) unorthodox participation - actions directed against the political system (boycotts, unauthorized rallies, strikes, etc.); 3) political crimes - political activity using violence (revolutions, terrorism, etc.). American political scientist W. Milbright proposes a division of political participation into conventional (legal, that is, within the framework of the law) and unconventional (illegal). The first type includes participation in the work of parties, election campaigns, elections and referendums, the second - riot, terrorism, etc. The most common type of political participation includes electoral behavior (participation in elections).
Low voter turnout may lead to public policy will actually cease to represent the interests of the nation representatively. When public opinion is underrepresented, the government may find itself under the control of an organized minority. The low degree of public involvement in government affairs may subsequently lead to the establishment totalitarian rule, in which the people are completely excluded from participation in governance.
In most countries of liberal democracy, citizen participation in governance is not limited to the right to elect and stand as a candidate in elections and involves the possibility of everyday participation in political life. Political participation is often confused with consultation. Consultation involves the use of mechanisms to convey the views of the general public to those charged with decision-making power. Key Feature consultation is that politicians are not obliged to follow the recommendations made to them: they agree to listen, but do not have to act in accordance with what they hear. Participation results in a change in the balance of power in relations between citizens and politicians. The process of interaction thus becomes more effective, and policy-making becomes a common endeavor between those who govern and those who are governed. However, lack of public awareness may make meaningful discussion impossible.
See also the articles “Elections”, “ Liberal democracy", "Totalitarianism".
Excellent definition
Incomplete definition ↓
Political systems democratic type involve the active, interested participation of citizens in political life through their performance of various socially significant roles (voter, member political party or social movement and so on.). At the same time, many individuals do not take advantage of their opportunities to influence political sphere, and some choose unacceptable and even criminal methods of political participation (for example, terrorism). The relevance of these problems determines the importance of studying the phenomenon of political participation: its structure, internal and external factors on which the choice of certain forms of political participation depends, the degree political activity citizens.
The diversity of areas of political life, the multiplicity of roles and functions performed by individuals and groups in the sphere of relations with state power, have given rise to many types of political participation.
Political participation– these are actionsby which ordinary members of society influence or attemptinfluence the functioning of the political system,formation of political institutions and the process of policy developmentski decisions.
Political participation can include actions to delegate powers (electoral behavior); activist activities aimed at supporting candidates and parties in election campaigns; attending rallies and participating in demonstrations; participation in party activities, etc.
The variety of forms of political participation is determined by the presence of conditions and the ramifications of structures capable of perceiving individual requests from citizens to power. Political participation characterizes the political system itself, which promotes or hinders political action citizens and directly depends on the political regime.
So, in democratic societies political participation is universal and free. An individual has the opportunity to practically react to the actions of the authorities that affect his interests, to take certain actions in response to the situation that has developed in the country (region). Political participation is for them a means of achieving goals, realizing the needs for self-expression and self-affirmation. Democratic state allows for the existence of protest forms of participation.
A totalitarian society seeks to mobilize the masses for ritual actions in support of the regime. Citizens are forced, under pain of punishment and economic sanctions, to go to rallies and demonstrations organized by ruling elite. In this case, political participation is strictly controlled by the ruling group and is used to strengthen power. In a totalitarian society, all forms of political protest and even dissent are prohibited. Those who disagree with the current political course are declared enemies of the people, criminals, and repression is applied to them.
There are many various options classification of types of political participation.
Some researchers typologize political participation depending on the degree of independence of the individual in making decisions about participation/non-participation and in choosing forms of participation. Based on this criterion, there are autonomous And mobilization participation. Autonomous participation – This is the free, voluntary activity of individuals pursuing personal and group interests. In contrast, mobilization participation is coercive and forced. The incentives for political activity are fear, administrative coercion and the threat of sanctions. Such participation is not a means of realizing personal and group interests; in a certain sense, it can be called quasi-participation.
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