Today the majority of the world democratic.This concept is very firmly rooted in the consciousness of civilized man.But what are the signs of a democratic regime?How does it differ from other types of state are arranged, what are the types and characteristics?
origin and meaning of the term
Before describing the features of a democratic regime, it should be noted that the word "democracy" comes to us from the Greek language.Word demos means "people", and the word kratos - power.Literally translated, this phrase means "power of the people" and "democracy."For the first time it was used in the composition of the famous Greek philosopher and thinker Aristotle called "Politics".
history of development in the long-time
traditionally assumed that the prototype of democracy - is the ancient Greek city of Athens in the sixth and fifth centuries BC.Signs of a democratic regime clearly manifested already at that time.In the early days of the ancient Greek democracy was perceived as a kind of model of organization of public life, a special form, in which no one person has the power (the tyrant, the monarch), and even a group of specific individuals (tycoons, aristocrats), and the entire population.It is also assumed that the "demos" (people) will have equal rights and carry equal contribution to the management of its state.This is what were the main features of a democratic regime.
history of development in modern times
formation of States that have signs of a democratic regime as an integrated system, there was much later, around shestnadtsatom- eighteenth centuries AD.The process developed in countries such as France, United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom.The rapid growth of trade and trade relations, the development of cities and factories, geographical discoveries, the importance of the role of grown colonies, serious scientific and technological discoveries and inventions, the transition to machine production of hand, the development of communication and transportation, the accumulation of financial resources - a key socio-economic origins, which uncovered the civilized world the characteristics of a democratic regime.The growth of contradictions between the old aristocracy and the economically powerful "third estate" demanded radical changes in the political regime of society.Such philosophers and thinkers like Montesquieu, Locke, Rousseau, Paine, Jefferson, at the time described in his writings the basic features of a democratic regime.The people of the United States, France and England were able to bring them to life, defeating monarchism and laying the legal, economic and social foundations of democracy by creating conditions for the restructuring of State.
basic and characteristic principles
Signs of a democratic regime of a democratic state - are the main distinguishing features, chief among which is the absolute sovereignty of the people.Democracy as a concept includes the recognition of the people as the supreme and the only source of power in the state.Citizens certainly have the right to decide their fate themselves.National authorities must rely on the expression of approval from the people and is legitimate only if it is supported by the existence and formation of the people (voters) in accordance with all rules and regulations.An important feature of a democratic regime are the free elections and the will of the people.People choose their representatives, have real leverage and mechanisms of control over their activities in the process of governance.During the elections, in accordance with legal regulations, the people have the absolute right to full or partial change of the government and making structural changes.All of the above - the main features of a democratic regime.It should be noted that the people have the full right to prematurely dismiss the elected government from power, if we observe a clear abuse of power.This and different signs of democratic and totalitarian regime (in which these functions are no citizens by definition).
concept of personality in a democracy
perception of man as the epicenter of political and social organization, the primacy of society over the power - the signs of the liberal-democratic regime.That person's identity is a very high value in the state.What are the signs of a democratic regime it creates?People and society are seen as the sum of the different independent individuals, rather than as a monolithic single will.This amount reflects the combined interests of individual personalities.Signs of a democratic regime are also a recognition of the priority over the interests of individuals and the public recognition of each person the sum of freedoms and rights, which are called natural and indispensable.As an example, the right to life and existence.The democratic regime, the concept, features and characteristics of which around based on personal freedom, and will include rights such as integrity, independence, protection and preservation of private property.
importance of human rights and freedoms in society
Signs of liberal-democratic regime - the right to dignity and respect for the individual, the right to live a life according to this condition, unconditional opportunity to live in their country and in their own land,the right to found a family and raise their children.The source of all these natural and inalienable rights and freedoms is not the state, not society or the family, and human nature itself.That is why all of the above can not be in any way jeopardized.These rights can not be withdrawn or restricted in humans (of course, we are not talking about cases where a person commits a crime).Also, signs of a democratic regime - is the presence of many other rights and freedoms (political, economic, social, spiritual, civil, etc.), most of which are also automatically acquire the status of mandatory and inalienable.
human rights - what is it?
If signs of a democratic regime based on the specific rights of the individual, what does that mean?The human right - it is a set of rules that govern the relationship between a free people, society and the state, providing the opportunity to act at their own option, to receive benefits for their lives.Freedom also offer a choice of activities and behavior.It is a set of rights and freedoms - these are the basic features of a democratic regime, which form a complete system.
What are the rights of the individual
Any individual has a lot of different rights.This "negative" that protect human freedom and include duties of the state and society not to make incorrect actions against the person (torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrest, and so on).There are also "positive", meaning the duty of the state and society to give certain benefits to the individual (recreation, education and labor).Moreover, the freedoms and rights are divided into personal, political, cultural, social, economic, and so on.
fundamental legal document of democracy
Signs of a democratic regime were first fully described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948.Curiously, the Soviet Union at the time it did not sign, and only during the Gorbachev she was recognized.This declaration shows all political and civil rights, given a list of positive and negative freedoms.Also disclosed is the meaning and content of political, economic and cultural rights.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a part of international law.In addition, the United Nations had adopted many other conventions, covenants and declarations aimed at establishing a democratic society and support for human rights and dignity.
many opinions - a prominent feature of democracy
pluralism - an essential feature of all democratic regimes.This means the recognition in public and political life of many and various autonomous (but at the same time inter-related) social and political parties, groups, organizations, facilities and ideas that are constantly in a state of competition, comparison and competition.Pluralism serves as the opposite of monopoly and is a basic principle of political democracy.There are some signs of its characteristic:
- the competitiveness of many different political actors;
- the division of power and differentiated structure of the hierarchy of power;
- the exclusion of any monopoly on political competition and power in favor of any party;
- a multi-party political system;
- free access to a variety of channels of expression and the interests of all;
- competitiveness and the possibility of change of elites, their struggle and free competition;
- in the framework of the rule of law has the right to exist of alternative social and political views.
The former Soviet Union after the collapse of the Soviet Union due to the accelerated process of the democratization process of establishing pluralism was very difficult, as the tradition of the "old" totalitarian system has still not completely eliminated.
What is the support for democracy
as the main social and political stabilizers and regulators are the citizens themselves.In the economic sphere this is the private property of the people, which creates the basis for the complete independence of the individual personality of the Institute of authority and the different religious, social and political groups.The multi-party system, ideological and political pluralism, separation of state authorities implemented into several independent branches with the formation of equilibrium (balance), free elections - all this creates a strong basis for the existence of democracy in the modern world.
