Test on the course “Political systems of modern Russia. The concept and features of the state A special organization of political power in society

State - organization of political power that manages society and ensures order and stability in it.

Main signs of the state are: the presence of a certain territory, sovereignty, a broad social base, a monopoly on legitimate violence, the right to collect taxes, the public nature of power, the presence of state symbols.

State performs internal functions among which are economic, stabilization, coordination, social, etc. There are also external functions, the most important of which are the provision of defense and the establishment of international cooperation.

By form of government states are divided into monarchies (constitutional and absolute) and republics (parliamentary, presidential and mixed). Depending on the forms state structure distinguish unitary states, federations and confederations.

State

State - this is a special organization of political power, which has a special apparatus (mechanism) for managing society to ensure its normal activity.

AT historical In terms of the state, the state can be defined as a social organization that has ultimate power over all people living within the boundaries of a certain territory, and has as its main goal the solution of common problems and the provision of the common good while maintaining, above all, order.

AT structural plan, the state appears as an extensive network of institutions and organizations that embody the three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial.

Government is sovereign, that is, supreme, in relation to all organizations and persons within the country, as well as independent, independent in relation to other states. State - official representative the whole society, all its members, called citizens.

The loans collected from the population and received from it are directed to the maintenance of the state apparatus of power.

The state is a universal organization, distinguished by a number of attributes and features that have no analogues.

State signs

• Coercion - state coercion is primary and priority in relation to the right to coerce other entities within the given state and is carried out by specialized bodies in situations determined by law.
• Sovereignty - the state has the highest and unlimited power in relation to all persons and organizations operating within historically established borders.
• Universality - the state acts on behalf of the whole society and extends its power to the entire territory.

Signs of the state are the territorial organization of the population, state sovereignty, tax collection, lawmaking. The state subjugates the entire population living in a certain territory, regardless of the administrative-territorial division.

State Attributes

• Territory - defined by the boundaries separating the spheres of sovereignty of individual states.
• The population is the subjects of the state, on which its power extends and under the protection of which they are.
• Apparatus - a system of organs and the presence of a special "class of officials" through which the state functions and develops. The issuance of laws and regulations binding on the entire population of a given state is carried out by the state legislature.

The concept of the state

The state arises at a certain stage in the development of society as a political organization, as an institution of power and management of society. There are two main concepts of the emergence of the state. In accordance with the first concept, the state arises in the course of the natural development of society and the conclusion of an agreement between citizens and rulers (T. Hobbes, J. Locke). The second concept goes back to the ideas of Plato. She rejects the first and insists that the state arises as a result of the conquest (conquest) by a relatively small group of militant and organized people (tribe, race) of a significantly larger, but less organized population (D. Hume, F. Nietzsche). Obviously, in the history of mankind, both the first and the second ways of the emergence of the state took place.

As already mentioned, in the beginning the state was the only political organization in society. In the future, in the course of the development of the political system of society, other political organizations (parties, movements, blocs, etc.) also arise.

The term "state" is usually used in a broad and narrow sense.

In a broad sense the state is identified with society, with a certain country. For example, we say: "UN member states", "NATO member states", "State of India". In the above examples, the state refers to entire countries together with their peoples living in a certain territory. This idea of ​​the state dominated in antiquity and the Middle Ages.

In a narrow sense the state is understood as one of the institutions of the political system, which has supreme power in society. Such an understanding of the role and place of the state is substantiated during the formation of civil society institutions (XVIII-XIX centuries), when the political system and social structure of society become more complex, there is a need to separate the state institutions and institutions from society and other non-state institutions of the political system.

The state is the main socio-political institution of society, the core of the political system. Possessing sovereign power in society, it controls the life of people, regulates relations between various social strata and classes, and is responsible for the stability of society and the security of its citizens.

The state has a complex organizational structure, which includes the following elements: legislative institutions, executive and administrative bodies, the judiciary, public order and state security bodies, the armed forces, etc. All this allows the state to perform not only the functions of managing society, but also the functions of coercion (institutionalized violence) in in relation to both individual citizens and large social communities (classes, estates, nations). So, during the years of Soviet power in the USSR, many classes and estates were actually destroyed (bourgeoisie, merchants, prosperous peasantry, etc.), political repression Entire peoples were exposed (Chechens, Ingush, Crimean Tatars, Germans, etc.).

State signs

The state is recognized as the main subject of political activity. With functional from the point of view, the state is the leading political institution that manages society and ensures order and stability in it. With organizational point of view, the state is an organization of political power that enters into relations with other subjects of political activity (for example, citizens). In this understanding, the state is seen as a set of political institutions (courts, social security system, army, bureaucracy, local authorities, etc.) responsible for organizing social life and financed by society.

signs, which distinguish the state from other subjects of political activity, are as follows:

Presence of a certain territory- the jurisdiction of the state (the right to judge and resolve legal issues) is determined by its territorial boundaries. Within these boundaries, the power of the state extends to all members of society (both those who have the citizenship of the country and those who do not);

Sovereignty the state is completely independent internal affairs and in the conduct of foreign policy;

Variety of resources used- the state accumulates the main power resources (economic, social, spiritual, etc.) to exercise its powers;

The desire to represent the interests of the whole society - the state acts on behalf of the whole society, and not of individuals or social groups;

Monopoly on legitimate violence- the state has the right to use force to ensure the implementation of laws and punish their violators;

The right to collect taxes- the state establishes and collects various taxes and fees from the population, which are directed to finance state bodies and solve various management tasks;

The public nature of power- The state ensures the protection of public interests, not private ones. In the implementation of public policy, there is usually no personal relationship between government and citizens;

The presence of symbols- the state has its own signs of statehood - a flag, coat of arms, anthem, special symbols and attributes of power (for example, a crown, scepter and orb in some monarchies), etc.

In a number of contexts, the concept of "state" is perceived as close in meaning to the concepts of "country", "society", "government", but this is not so.

The country- the concept is primarily cultural and geographical. This term is usually used when talking about area, climate, natural areas, population, nationalities, religions, etc. The state is a political concept and denotes the political organization of that other country - the form of its government and structure, political regime, etc.

Society is a broader concept than the state. For example, a society can be above the state (society as all of humanity) or pre-state (such are the tribe and primeval race). On the present stage the concepts of society and the state also do not coincide: public authority (say, a layer of professional managers) is relatively independent and isolated from the rest of society.

Government - only a part of the state, its highest administrative and executive body, an instrument for exercising political power. The state is a stable institution, while governments come and go.

General signs of the state

Despite all the variety of types and forms of state formations that arose earlier and currently exist, one can single out common features that are more or less characteristic of any state. In our opinion, these features were most fully and reasonably presented by V. P. Pugachev.

These signs include the following:

• public authority, separated from society and not coinciding with social organization; the presence of a special layer of people who carry out the political management of society;
• a certain territory (political space), delineated by the boundaries, to which the laws and powers of the state apply;
• sovereignty - supreme power over all citizens living in a certain territory, their institutions and organizations;
• monopoly on the legal use of force. Only the state has "legitimate" grounds for restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens and even depriving them of their lives. For these purposes, it has special power structures: the army, police, courts, prisons, etc. P.;
• the right to levy taxes and fees from the population, which are necessary for the maintenance of state bodies and the material support of state policy: defense, economic, social, etc.;
• compulsory membership in the state. A person receives citizenship from the moment of birth. Unlike membership in a party or other organizations, citizenship is a necessary attribute of any person;
• a claim to represent the whole of society as a whole and to protect common interests and goals. In reality, no state or other organization is able to fully reflect the interests of all social groups, classes and individual citizens of society.

All functions of the state can be divided into two main types: internal and external.

While doing internal functions the activity of the state is aimed at managing society, at coordinating the interests of various social strata and classes, at maintaining its power. By implementing external functions, the state acts as a subject international relations, representing a specific people, territory, and sovereign power.

From theory and practice, we know about a wide variety of types and forms of states. But they all have similar elements. The state stands out among other social formations with special features and characteristics inherent only to it.

The state is an organization of the political power of society, covering a certain territory, acting simultaneously as a means of ensuring the interests of the whole society and a special mechanism for control and suppression.

State features are:

♦ presence of public authority;

♦ sovereignty;

♦ territory and administrative-territorial division;

♦ legal system;

♦ citizenship;

♦ taxes and fees.

public authority includes a combination of the control apparatus and the apparatus of suppression.

Manadgement Department- bodies of legislative and executive power and other bodies with the help of which management is carried out.

suppression apparatus- special bodies that are competent and have the strength and means to enforce the state will:

Security agencies and police (militia);

Courts and prosecutors;

The system of correctional institutions (prisons, colonies, etc.).

Peculiarities public authority:

◊ separated from society;

◊ does not have a public character and is not directly controlled by the people (control over power in the pre-state period);

◊ most often expresses the interests not of the whole society, but of a certain part of it (class, social group, etc.), often of the administrative apparatus itself;

◊ carried out by a special layer of people (officials, deputies, etc.) endowed with state powers, specially trained for this, for whom management (suppression) is the main activity, who do not participate directly in social production;

◊ based on written formalized law;

◊ backed by the coercive power of the state.

The presence of a special apparatus of coercion. Only the state has a court, a prosecutor's office, internal affairs agencies, etc., and material appendages (army, prisons, etc.) that ensure the implementation of state decisions, including by necessity and coercive means. To perform the functions of the state, one part of the apparatus serves the legislation, enforcement of laws and judicial protection of citizens, and the other maintains the internal legal order and ensures the external security of the state.

As a form of society, the state acts simultaneously as a structure and mechanism of public self-government. Therefore, the openness of the state to society and the degree of involvement of citizens in state affairs characterize the level of development of the state as democratic and legal.

state sovereignty- independence of the power of this state from any other power. State sovereignty can be internal and external.

Interior sovereignty - the full extension of the state's jurisdiction over its entire territory and the exclusive right to make laws, independence from any other power within the country, supremacy in relation to any other organizations.

External sovereignty - complete independence in the foreign policy activities of the state, i.e. independence from other states in international relations.

It is through the state that international relations are maintained, and the state is perceived on the world stage as an independent and independent structure.

State sovereignty should not be confused with popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty is the basic principle of democracy, which means that power belongs to the people and comes from the people. The state can partially limit its sovereignty (join international unions, organizations), but without sovereignty (for example, during occupation), it cannot be full-fledged.

The division of the population into territories

The territory of the state is the space to which its jurisdiction extends. The territory usually has a special division called administrative-territorial (regions, provinces, departments, etc.). This is done for ease of management.

At the present time (as opposed to the pre-state period), it is important that a person belongs to a certain territory, and not to a tribe or clan. In the conditions of the state, the population is divided on the basis of residence in a certain territory. This is connected both with the need to levy taxes and with the best conditions for governance, since the decomposition of the primitive communal system leads to constant displacement of people.

By uniting all people living in the same territory, the state is the spokesman for common interests and determines the purpose of the life of the entire community within the boundaries of the state.

Legal system- the legal "skeleton" of the state. The state, its institutions, power are enshrined in law and act (in a civilized society), relying on law and legal means. Only the state has the right to issue normative acts binding for general execution: laws, decrees, resolutions, etc.

Citizenship- a stable legal relationship of persons residing in the territory of the state with this state, expressed in the presence of mutual rights, duties and responsibilities.

The state is the only organization of power on a national scale. No other organization (political, public, etc.) covers the entire population. Each person, by virtue of his birth, establishes a certain connection with the state, becoming its citizen or subject, and acquires, on the one hand, the obligation to obey state-powerful decrees, and on the other hand, the right to patronage and protection of the state. The institution of citizenship in the legal sense equalizes people among themselves and makes them equal in relation to the state.

Taxes and fees- the material basis for the activities of the state and its bodies - funds collected from individuals and legal entities located in the state to ensure the activities of public authorities, social support for the poor, etc.

The essence of the state is what:

~ is a territorial organization of people:

~ this overcomes tribal ("blood") relationships and is replaced by social relations;

~ a structure is created that is neutral to the national, religious and social characteristics of people.

Test for the course "Political systems modern Russia»
1. What is the function of the policy subsystem

A) adaptation function

B) goal-setting function

B) coordination function

D) integration function
2.Special organization political power in a community that occupies a certain territory, has its own system of government and has internal and external sovereignty is called

A) the state

B) country

In town

D) confession
3. Nation state refers

BUT) religious community united by the unity of doctrine

B) a community of people on an ethnic basis, capable of serving as the basis or one of the elements of the nation

C) ideology and practice of coexistence of different cultural groups

D) a special organization of political power in the community.
4. The political system that developed after the Second World War and is characterized by the confrontation between two blocs of states - a socialist led by the USSR and a capitalist led by the United States, is called

A) the North Atlantic world order

B) Warsaw world order

B) the Washington world order

D) Yalta world order
5. International agency The United Nations was created to

A) conducting and controlling free international trade

B) solutions to world conflicts

C) pursuing an aggressive information policy

D) prevention of the global economic crisis
6. What was the name of the Organization of Petroleum Producing and Exporting Countries, which was created in the 60s of XX

A) OPEC

B) EU
D) TNK
7.Who pursued the policy of the countries listed below? open doors»
B) China

B) Japan

D) Germany
8. What is the name of the system for performing the functions of the state, in which a significant part of them is automated and transferred to the Internet

A) email

B) information economy

B) e-government

D) information society
9. Privatization is called

A) cash payment for the right to use the leased property

B) the process of transferring state property to the private sector

C) income from factors of production

D) the process of preparing and executing a series of consecutive transactions between the borrower and its creditors and debtors.

10. Which of the following countries is a presidential republic

A) France

B) Germany;

To China;

D) Russia.

11. How did the conflict between the Congress of People's Deputies and President Boris Yeltsin end after the collapse of the USSR

A) the adoption of a new Constitution and elections to the Russian parliament

B) only by the adoption of a new Constitution

C) only elections to the Russian parliament

D) the introduction of the office of president
12. The lower house of the Russian parliament, consisting of 450 deputies, is

BUT) Federal Assembly

B) State Duma

B) Federation Council

D) Congress of People's Deputies
29. A state that has legislated the priority of one of the nations living on its territory is called

A) a mono-ethnic state

B) a multi-ethnic state

B) the nation state

D) empire
13. The issuer is called

A) the mandatory state fee collected by the customs authorities when goods are exported outside the state

B) a type of political and economic activity, the main area of ​​which is the establishment of regulations and financial and legal regulation in the field of economic operations

AT) entity issuing equity securities

D) purposeful action to limit or minimize risk, a method of risk financing, which consists in risk transfer.
14. The feeling of pride in one's nation and the desire for its exaltation is called

B) self-preservation;

B) pride

D) patriotism.
15.Under the ideological dominance is understood

A) a high level of development of communication technologies;

B) involves control over the main objects of property in other countries;

C) when they try to impose one system of views on all countries;

D) involves control over large monetary resources.
16. Democracy in its modern sense has its origin in

A) Ancient Egypt

B) Ancient Greece;

B) Ancient China

D) Ancient India.
17. Which of the following countries has a constitutional monarchy

A) Russia;

B) Spain;

B) France

18. A state that ensures the priority of such values ​​as freedom, human rights, private property, election and accountability to the people of government bodies, in combination with the formation of government bodies exclusively by the people of this country is called

A) constitutional democracy;

B) egalitarian democracy;

C) socialist democracy;

D) sovereign democracy.

19. Recently, a significant element of the concept of state security in Russia has become

A) sovereign democracy

B) oligarchic democracy;

C) constitutional democracy;

D) socialist democracy.
20. The ability of a country to withstand competition in international economic relations is called

A) national policy;

B) the competitiveness of the country;

C) information model of the economy;

D) political and economic activity of the country.
21. The totality of economic, social, legal and organizational principles of government in the state, which consists of subjects that retain political independence to a greater or lesser extent, is called

A) constitutionalism;

B) unitarism;

B) federalism

D) democracy.
22. Corruption means

A) criminal activity in the field of state and municipal administration, aimed at extracting material gain from official position and authority;

B) the principle of the organization of society, in which the success, promotion, career, public recognition of a person and citizen directly depend on his personal merits to society;

C) an indicator of the material well-being of people, measured by the amount of their income (for example, GNP per capita) or using indicators of material consumption;

D) close-knit social communities that prepare and accept major decisions in economics and business.
23. Approval and support of the legitimate government by the people is called

A) sovereignty;

B) legitimacy;

B) law-abiding;

D) meeting.
24. The sphere of human activity, which inevitably has a decisive, imperious influence on all other spheres, is

A) economics;

B) religion;

B) politics;

D) information.
25. A systematically organized worldview that expresses the interests of a certain social group (class, estate, professional corporation, religious community, etc.) and requires the subordination of individual thoughts and actions of each member of such a group to the goals of the struggle for participation in power is called

A) political ideology;

B) ideological struggle;

C) political consciousness;

D) political culture.

26. What is the name of a society where the authorities are trying to forcibly establish the ideals of the dominant ideology in the minds of citizens and in practical life

A) a cultural society;

B) ideocratic society;

C) industrial society;

D) a democratic society.

27. What does the presence of a multi-party system lead to

A) to the political opposition;

B) respect for the rule of law;

C) to political competition;

D) to the freedom to receive and disseminate information.
28. What is the name of the form of organization of the state, in which the legislative power in the country belongs to an elected representative body (parliament) and the head of state is elected by the population (or a special electoral body) for a certain period

A) constitutional

B) republican;

B) federal

D) monarchy.
29. The highest legislative body of the country in a parliamentary republic is

A) Parliament

B) the legislature;

B) thought

D) party.
30. Which of the following countries is a parliamentary republic

A) Germany;

B) USA;

In Russia;

D) France.

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus

educational institution

"Vitebsk State University of Technology"

Department of Philosophy

Test

Political power

Completed:

Stud. gr. for A-13 IV course

Kudryavtsev D.V.

Checked:

Art. pr. Grishanov V.A.

Sources and resources of political power

Problems of legitimate power

Literature

1. The essence of political power, its objects, subjects and functions

Power is the ability and ability of a subject to exercise his will, to exert a decisive influence on the activity, behavior of another subject with the help of any means. In other words, power is a volitional relationship between two subjects, in which one of them - the subject of power - makes certain demands on the behavior of the other, and the other - in this case it will be a subject or object of power - obeys the orders of the first.

Power as a relationship between two subjects is the result of actions that produce both sides of this relationship: one - encourages a certain action, the other - carries it out. Any power relationship assumes as an indispensable condition for the expression in some form by the ruling (dominant) subject of his will, addressed to the one over whom he exercises power.

The external expression of the will of the dominant subject can be a law, decree, order, order, directive, prescription, instruction, rule, prohibition, instruction, requirement, wish, etc.

Only after the subject under control understands the content of the demand addressed to him, can we expect him to take any response. However, even at the same time, the one to whom the demand is addressed can always answer it with a refusal. An authoritative attitude also implies the existence of a reason that induces the object of power to carry out the command of the dominant subject. In the above definition of power, this reason is designated by the concept of "means". Only if it is possible for the dominant subject to use the means of subordination, the power relation can become a reality. The means of subordination or, in more common terminology, the means of influence (imperious influence) are those socially significant physical, material, social, psychological and moral factors for the subjects of public relations that the subject of power can use to subordinate to his will the activities of the subject subject (object of power) . Depending on the means of influence used by the subject, power relations can take at least the form of force, coercion, inducement, persuasion, manipulation or authority.

Power in the form of strength means the ability of the subject to achieve the desired result in relations with the subject, either by directly influencing his body and psyche, or by limiting his actions. In coercion, the source of obedience to the command of the dominant subject lies in the threat of negative sanctions if the subject refuses to obey. Motivation as a means of influence is based on the ability of the subject of power to provide the subject with those benefits (values ​​and services) in which he is interested. In persuasion, the source of power influence lies in the arguments that the subject of power uses to subdue his will to the activities of the subject. Manipulation as a means of submission is based on the ability of the subject of power to exercise a hidden influence on the behavior of the subject. The source of subordination in a power relationship in the form of authority is a certain set of characteristics of the subject of power, which the subject cannot but reckon with and therefore he obeys the requirements presented to him.

Power is an indispensable side of human communication; it is due to the need to submit to the unified will of all participants in any community of people in order to ensure its integrity and stability. Power is universal, it permeates all types of human interaction, all spheres of society. A scientific approach to the analysis of the phenomenon of power requires taking into account the multiplicity of its manifestations and clarifying the specific features of its individual types - economic, social, political, spiritual, military, family and others. Most important view power is political power.

The central problem of politics and political science is power. The concept of "power" is one of the fundamental categories political science. It provides the key to understanding the whole life of society. Sociologists talk about social power, lawyers - about state power, psychologists - about power over oneself, parents - about family power.

Power has historically emerged as one of the vital functions of human society, ensuring the survival of the human community in the face of a possible external threat and creating guarantees for the existence of individuals within this community. The natural nature of power is manifested in the fact that it arises as a society's need for self-regulation, for maintaining integrity and stability in the presence of different, sometimes opposing interests of people.

Naturally, the historical nature of power is also manifested in its continuity. Power never disappears, it can be inherited, taken away by other interested persons, it can be radically transformed. But any group or individual coming to power cannot but reckon with the overthrown government, with the traditions, consciousness, culture of power relations accumulated in the country. Continuity is also manifested in the active borrowing by countries from each other of the universal experience in the implementation of power relations.

It is clear that power arises under certain conditions. The Polish sociologist Jerzy Wyatr believes that for the existence of power, at least two partners are needed, and these partners can be both individuals and groups of individuals. The condition for the emergence of power should also be the subordination of the one over whom power is exercised to the one who exercises it in accordance with social norms that establish the right to give orders and the duty to obey.

Consequently, power relations are a necessary and indispensable mechanism for regulating the life of society, ensuring and maintaining its unity. This confirms the objective nature of power in human society.

German sociologist Max Weber defines power as a possibility actor to realize one's own will even in spite of the resistance of other participants in the action and regardless of what this possibility is based on.

Power is a complex phenomenon that includes various structural elements located in a certain hierarchy (from the highest to the lowest) and interacting with each other. The system of power can be represented as a pyramid, the top of which is those who exercise power, and the bottom - those who obey it.

Power is an expression of the will of society, a class, a group of people and an individual. This confirms the conditionality of power by the relevant interests.

An analysis of political science theories shows that in modern political science there is no single generally accepted understanding of the essence and definition of power. This, however, does not exclude similarities in their interpretation.

In this regard, several concepts of power can be distinguished.

An approach to the consideration of power that studies political processes in relation to social processes and psychological motives of people's behavior, underlies the behaviorist (behavioral concepts of power. The foundations of the behaviorist analysis of politics are set out in the work of the founder of this school, the American researcher John B. Watson "Human Nature in Politics." Phenomena political life They are explained by the natural properties of a person, his life behavior. Human behavior, including political behavior, is a response to actions environment. Therefore, power is a special type of behavior based on the possibility of changing the behavior of other people.

The relational (role) concept understands power as an interpersonal relationship between the subject and the object of power, assuming the possibility of volitional influence of some individuals and groups on others. This is how the American political scientist Hans Morgenthau and the German sociologist M. Weber define power. In modern Western political literature, the definition of power by G. Morgenthau is widespread, interpreted as the exercise by a person of control over the consciousness and actions of other people. Other representatives of this concept define power as the ability to exercise one's will either through fear, or through the refusal of someone in reward or in the form of punishment. The last two methods of influence (refusal and punishment) are negative sanctions.

The French sociologist Raymond Aron rejects almost all definitions of power known to him, considering them formalized and abstract, not taking into account psychological aspects, not clarifying the exact meaning of such terms as "strength", "power". Because of this, according to R. Aron, an ambiguous understanding of power arises.

power like political concept means relationships between people. Here R. Aron agrees with the relationists. At the same time, Aron argues, power denotes hidden opportunities, abilities, forces that manifest themselves under certain circumstances. Therefore, power is the potency owned by a person or group to establish relationships with other people or groups that agree with their desires.

Within the framework of the systemic concept, the authorities ensure the vital activity of society as a system, instructing each subject to fulfill the obligations imposed on him by the goals of society, and mobilize resources to achieve the goals of the system. (T. Parsons, M. Crozier, T. Clark).

American political scientist Hannah Arendt notes that power is not the answer to the question of who controls whom. Power, X. Arendt believes, is in full accordance with the human ability not only to act, but to act together. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to study the system of social institutions, those communications through which power is manifested and materialized. This is the essence of the communication (structural and functional) concept of power.

The definition of power given by American sociologists Harold D. Lasswell and A. Kaplan in their book "Power and Society" is as follows: power is participation or the ability to participate in decision-making that regulates the distribution of benefits in conflict situations. This is one of the fundamental provisions of the conflict concept of power.

Close to this concept is the teleological concept, the main position of which was formulated by the English liberal professor, the famous fighter for peace Bertrand Russell: power can be a means to achieve certain goals.

The commonality of all concepts is that power relations are considered in them, first of all, as relations between two partners influencing each other. This makes it difficult to single out the main determinant of power - why, nevertheless, one can impose his will on another, and this other, although he resists, must still fulfill the imposed will.

The Marxist concept of power and the struggle for power is characterized by a clearly defined class approach to the social nature of power. In the Marxist understanding, power is dependent, secondary. This dependence follows from the manifestation of the will of the class. Even in the "Manifesto of the Communist Party" K. Marx and F. Engels determined that "political power in the proper sense of the word is the organized violence of one class over another" (K. Marx. F. Engels Soch., ed. 2nd, v.4, p:447).

All of these concepts, their multivariance testify to the complexity and diversity of politics and power. In this light, one should not sharply oppose class and non-class approaches to political power, the Marxist and non-Marxist understanding of this phenomenon. All of them complement each other to a certain extent and allow you to create a complete and most objective picture. Power as one of the forms of social relations is capable of influencing the content of people's activities and behavior through economic, ideological and legal mechanisms.

Thus, power is an objectively determined social phenomenon, expressed in the ability of a person or group to manage others based on certain needs or interests.

Political power is a volitional relationship between social entities that make up a politically (i.e. state) organized community, the essence of which is to induce one social entity to behave in the direction desired by itself through the use of its authority, social and legal norms, organized violence , economic, ideological, emotional-psychological and other means of influence. Political and power relations arise in response to the need to maintain the integrity of the community and regulate the process of realizing the individual, group and common interests of its constituent people. The phrase political power also owes its origin to the ancient Greek polis and literally means power in the polis community. Modern meaning The concept of political power reflects the fact that everything is political, i.e. a state-organized community of people, with its fundamental principle, presupposes the presence among its participants of relations of domination and subordination and the necessary attributes associated with them: laws, police, courts, prisons, taxes, etc. In other words, power and politics are inseparable and interdependent. Power, of course, is a means of implementing policy, and political relations are, first of all, the interaction of community members regarding the acquisition of means of power influence, their organization, retention and use. It is power that gives politics that originality, thanks to which it appears as a special kind of social interaction. And that is why political relations can be called political-power relations. They arise in response to the need to maintain the integrity of the political community and regulate the implementation of individual, group and common interests of its constituent people.

Thus, political power is a form of social relations inherent in a politically organized community of people, characterized by the ability of certain social subjects - individuals, social groups and communities - to subordinate the activities of other social subjects to their will with the help of state-legal and other means. Political power is the real ability and possibility of social forces to carry out their will in politics and legal norms, primarily in accordance with their needs and interests.

The functions of political power, i.e. its public purpose, the same as the functions of the state. Political power is, firstly, a tool for maintaining the integrity of the community and, secondly, a means of regulating the process of realization by social subjects of their individual, group and common interests. This is the main function of political power. Its other functions, the list of which may be large (for example, leadership, management, coordination, organization, mediation, mobilization, control, etc.), are of subordinate importance in relation to these two.

Separate types authorities can be distinguished on various grounds adopted for classification:

Other bases for classifying the types of power can be accepted: absolute, personal, family, clan power, etc.

Political science is the study of political power.

Power in society appears in non-political and political forms. In the conditions of the primitive communal system, where there were no classes, and therefore no state, and no politics, public power was not of a political nature. It constituted the power of all members of a given clan, tribe, community.

Non-political forms of power are characterized by the fact that the objects are small social groups and it is carried out directly by the ruling individual without a special intermediary apparatus and mechanism. Non-political forms include family, school power, power in the production team, etc.

Political power arose in the process of development of society. As property appears and accumulates in the hands of certain groups of people, there is a redistribution of managerial and administrative functions, i.e. change in the nature of power. From the power of the whole society (primitive), it turns into the ruling strata, becomes a kind of property of the emerging classes and, as a result, acquires a political character. In a class society, governance is exercised through political power. Political forms of power are characterized by the fact that their object is large social groups, and power in them is exercised through social institutions. Political power is also a volitional relationship, but a relationship between classes, social groups.

Political power has a number of characteristic features that define it as a relatively independent phenomenon. It has its own laws of development. To be stable, power must take into account the interests of not only the ruling classes, but also the subordinate groups, as well as the interests of the whole society. characteristic features political power are: sovereignty and its supremacy in the system of relations in society, as well as indivisibility, authority and strong-willed character.

Political power is always imperative. The will and interests of the ruling class, groups of people through political power acquire the form of law, certain norms that are binding on the entire population. Disobedience to laws and non-compliance with regulations entails legal, legal punishment up to and including coercion to comply with them.

The most important feature of political power is its close connection with the economy, economic conditionality. Since the most important factor in the economy is property relations, economic basis political power is the ownership of the means of production. The right to property also gives the right to power.

At the same time, representing the interests of the economically dominant classes and groups and being conditioned by these interests, political power has an active impact on the economy. F. Engels names three directions of such influence: political power acts in the same direction as the economy - then the development of society goes faster; against economic development - then after a certain period of time political power collapses; power can put economic development obstacles and push it in other directions. As a result, F. Engels emphasizes, in the last two cases, political power can cause the greatest harm to economic development and cause a massive waste of forces and material (Marx K. and Engels F. Soch., ed. 2nd vol. 37. p. 417).

Thus, political power acts as a real ability and possibility of an organized class or social group, as well as individuals reflecting their interests, to carry out their will in politics and legal norms.

First of all, state power belongs to the political forms of power. It is necessary to distinguish between political power and state power. Every state power is political, but not every political power is state power.

IN AND. Lenin, criticizing the Russian populist P. Struve for recognizing coercive power as the main feature of the state, wrote "... coercive power is in every human community, and in the tribal structure, and in the family, but the state was not here. ... The sign of the state is the presence of an isolated a class of persons in whose hands power is concentrated "(Lenin V.I. Paul. sobr. soch. T. 2, p. 439).

State power is power exercised with the help of a special apparatus and having the ability to turn to the means of organized and legally enshrined violence. State power is so inseparable from the state that in the scientific literature of practical use these concepts are often identified. A state can exist for some time without a clearly defined territory, a strict delimitation of borders, without a precisely defined population. But without the power of the state there is no.

The most important features of state power are its public nature and the presence of a certain territorial arrangement subject to state sovereignty. The state has a monopoly not only on the legal, legal consolidation of power, but also the monopoly right to use violence, using a special apparatus of coercion. Orders of the state power are obligatory for the entire population, foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, and permanently residing in the territory of the state.

State power performs a number of functions in society: it establishes laws, administers justice, manages all aspects of the life of society. The main functions of the government are:

Ensuring domination, that is, the implementation of the will of the ruling group in relation to society, the subordination (full or partial, absolute or relative) of some classes, groups, individuals to others;

Management of the development of society in accordance with the interests of the ruling classes, social groups;

management, i.e. implementation in practice of the main directions of development and the adoption of specific management decisions;

Control involves the implementation of supervision over the implementation of decisions and compliance with the norms and rules of human activity.

The actions of the state authorities to implement their functions are the essence of politics. Thus, state power represents the fullest expression of political power, is political power in its most developed form.

Political power can also be non-state. Such are party and military. There are many examples in history when the army or political parties during the period of national liberation wars controlled large territories without creating state structures on them, exercising power through military or party bodies.

The implementation of power is directly related to the subjects of politics, which are the social bearers of power. When power is won, and a certain subject of politics becomes the subject of power, the latter acts as a means of influencing the dominant social group on other associations of people in this society. The body of such influence is the state. With the help of its organs, the ruling class or the ruling group strengthens its political power, realizes and defends its interests.

Political power, like politics, is inextricably linked with social interests. On the one hand, power itself is a social interest around which political relations arise, form and function. The severity of the struggle for power is due to the fact that the possession of a mechanism for exercising power makes it possible to protect and realize certain socio-economic interests.

On the other hand, social interests have a decisive influence on power. The interests of social groups are always hidden behind the relations of political power. “People have always been and always will be stupid victims of deception and self-deception in politics until they learn to look for the interests of certain classes behind any moral, religious, political, social phrases, statements, promises,” V.I. Lenin (Poln. sobr. soch., vol. 23, p. 47).

Political power, thus, acts as a certain aspect of relations between social groups, it is the realization of the volitional activity of a political subject. Subject-object relations of power are characterized by the fact that the difference between objects and subjects is relative: in some cases, a given political group can act as a subject of power, and in others - as an object.

The subjects of political power are a person, a social group, an organization that implement a policy or are able to relatively independently participate in political life in accordance with their interests. An important feature of a political subject is its ability to influence the position of others and cause significant changes in political life.

The subjects of political power are unequal. The interests of various social groups have either a decisive or indirect influence on the authorities, their role in politics is different. Therefore, among the subjects of political power, it is customary to distinguish between primary and secondary. Primary are characterized by the presence of their own social interests. These are classes, social strata, nations, ethnic and confessional, territorial and demographic groups. Secondary ones reflect the objective interests of the primary ones and are created by them to realize these interests. These include political parties, the state, public organizations and movements, church.

The interests of those subjects that occupy a leading position in the economic system of society constitute the social basis of power.

It is these social groups, communities, individuals who use, set in motion the forms and means of power, fill them with real content. They are called social bearers of power.

However, the entire history of mankind testifies that the ruling class, the ruling political groups or elites, the professional bureaucracy - the administrative apparatus - political leaders have real political power.

The ruling class personifies the main material force of society. He exercises supreme control over the basic resources of society, production and its results. Its economic dominance is guaranteed by the state through political measures and complemented by ideological dominance that justifies economic dominance as justified, just, and even desirable.

K. Marx and F. Engels wrote in their work "The German Ideology": "The class that represents the dominant material force of society is at the same time its dominant spiritual force.

The dominant thoughts are nothing but the ideal expression of the dominant material relations.

Thus, occupying key positions in the economy, the ruling class also concentrates the main political levers, and then spreads its influence to all spheres. public life. The ruling class is the class that dominates in the economic, social, political and spiritual fields, determining community development in accordance with their will and fundamental interests. The main instrument of his domination is political power.

The ruling class is not homogeneous. In its structure, there are always internal groups with conflicting, even opposing interests (traditional small and middle strata, groups representing the military-industrial and fuel and energy complexes). Certain moments of social development in the ruling class can be dominated by the interests of certain internal groups: the 1960s were characterized by the Cold War policy, which reflected the interests of the military-industrial complex (MIC). Therefore, the ruling class, in order to exercise power, forms a relatively small group that includes the top of the various strata of this class - an active minority that has access to the instruments of power. Most often it is called the ruling elite, sometimes the ruling or ruling circles. This leading group includes the economic, military, ideological and bureaucratic elite. One of the main elements of this group is the political elite.

Elite is a group of people who specific features and professional qualities that make them "chosen" in one or another sphere of public life, science, production. The political elite is a fairly independent, superior, relatively privileged group (groups), endowed with important psychological, social and political qualities. It is made up of people who occupy leading or dominant positions in society: the country's top political leadership, including the top functionaries who develop political ideology. The political elite expresses the will and fundamental interests of the ruling class and, in accordance with them, directly and systematically participates in the adoption and implementation of decisions related to the use of state power or influence on it. Naturally, the ruling political elite formulates and makes political decisions on behalf of the ruling class in the interests of its dominant part, social stratum or group.

In the system of power, the political elite performs certain functions: it makes decisions on fundamental political issues; determines the goals, guidelines and priorities of the policy; develops a strategy of action; consolidates groups of people through compromises, taking into account the requirements and harmonizing the interests of all political forces that support it; manages the most important political structures and organizations; formulates the main ideas that substantiate and justify its political course.

The ruling elite performs direct leadership functions. Daily implementation activities decisions taken, all necessary for this event is carried out by a professional bureaucracy and bureaucracy. As an integral element of the ruling elite of modern society, it plays the role of an intermediary between the top and bottom of the pyramid of political power. Historical epochs and political systems change, but the constant condition for the functioning of power remains the apparatus of officials, which is entrusted with the responsibility and management of daily affairs.

A bureaucratic vacuum - the absence of an administrative apparatus - is fatal for any political system.

M. Weber emphasized that the bureaucracy embodies the most effective and rational ways of managing organizations. Bureaucracy is not only a management system carried out with the help of a separate apparatus, but also a layer of people associated with this system, competently and qualifiedly, performing managerial functions at a professional level. This phenomenon, which is called the bureaucratization of power, is due not so much to the professional functions of officials as to the social nature of the bureaucracy itself, which strives for independence, isolation of the rest of society, achieving a certain autonomy, and implementing the developed political course without taking into account public interests. In practice, it develops its own interests, while claiming the right to accept political decisions.

Substituting the public interests of the state and transforming the state goal into the personal goal of an official, into a race for ranks, in career matters, the bureaucracy arrogates to itself the right to dispose of what does not belong to it - power. A well-organized and powerful bureaucracy can impose its will and thereby partially become a political elite. That is why bureaucracy, its place in power and methods of dealing with it have become an important problem in any modern society.

Social carriers of power, i.e. The sources of practical political activity for the exercise of power can be not only the ruling class, the elite and the bureaucracy, but also individuals expressing the interests of a large social group. Each such person is called a political leader.

The subjects that influence the exercise of power include pressure groups (groups of particular, private interests). Pressure groups are organized associations created by representatives of certain social strata to exert targeted pressure on legislators and officials in order to satisfy their own specific interests.

One can talk about a pressure group only when it and its actions have the ability to systematically influence the authorities. The essential difference between a pressure group and a political party is that the pressure group does not seek to seize power. The pressure group, addressing wishes to a state body or a specific person, simultaneously makes it clear that failure to fulfill its wishes will lead to negative consequences: to the denial of support in elections or financial assistance, loss of office or social position by any influential person. Lobbies can be considered as such groups. Lobbying as a political phenomenon is one of the varieties of pressure groups and acts in the form of various committees, commissions, councils, bureaus created under legislative and governmental organizations. The main task of the lobby is to establish contacts with politicians and officials in order to influence their decisions. Lobbyism is distinguished by behind-the-scenes overorganization, intrusive and persistent striving to achieve certain and not necessarily lofty goals, and adherence to the interests of narrow groups striving for power. The means and methods of lobbying activities are diverse: informing and consulting on political issues, threats and blackmail, corruption, bribery and bribes, gifts and wishes to speak at parliamentary hearings, financing of election campaigns of candidates and much more. Lobbyism originated in the United States and has spread widely in other countries with a traditionally developed system of parliamentarism. Lobbies also exist in the American Congress, the British Parliament, and in the corridors of power in many other countries. Such groups are created not only by representatives of capital, but also by the military, some social movements, and associations of voters. This is one of the attributes of the political life of modern developed countries.

The opposition also has an influence on the exercise of political power, in a broad sense, the opposition is the usual political disagreements and disputes on current issues, all direct and indirect manifestations of public dissatisfaction with the existing regime. It is also believed that the opposition is a minority that opposes its views and the goals of the majority of participants in this political process. At the first stage of the emergence of the opposition, this was how it was: an active minority with its own views acted as the opposition. In a narrow sense, the opposition is seen as a political institution: political parties, organizations and movements that do not participate or are removed from power. Under the political opposition is understood an organized group of active individuals united by the awareness of the commonality of their political interests, values ​​and goals, leading the fight against the dominant subject. The opposition becomes a public political association, which consciously opposes itself to the dominant political force on programmatic policy issues, on the main ideas and goals. The opposition is an organization of political like-minded people - a party, a faction, a movement capable of waging and waging a struggle for a dominant position in power relations. It is a natural consequence of socio-political contradictions and exists in the presence of favorable political conditions for it - at least, the absence of an official ban on its existence.

Traditionally, there are two main types of opposition: non-systemic (destructive) and systemic (constructive). The first group includes those political parties and groups whose action programs completely or partially contradict official political values. Their activities are aimed at weakening and replacing state power. The second group includes parties that recognize the inviolability of the basic political, economic and social principles of society and do not agree with the government only in choosing ways and means to achieve common strategic goals. They operate within the existing political system and do not seek to change its foundations. Giving opposition forces the opportunity to express their own, different from the official, point of view and compete for votes in legislative, regional, judicial authorities, in the media with the ruling party is an effective remedy against the emergence of acute social conflicts. The absence of a viable opposition leads to an increase in social tension or generates apathy among the population.

First of all, the opposition is the main channel for expressing social discontent, an important factor in future changes and renewal of society. By criticizing the authorities and the government, it has the opportunity to achieve fundamental concessions and correct official policy. The presence of an influential opposition limits the abuse of power, prevents the violation or attempts to violate the civil, political rights and freedoms of the population. It prevents the government from deviating from the political center and thus maintains social stability. The existence of the opposition testifies to the struggle for power going on in society.

The struggle for power reflects a tense, rather conflicting degree of confrontation and opposition of existing social forces. political parties in matters of attitude to power, to understanding its role, tasks and capabilities. It can be carried out on a different scale, as well as using a variety of means, methods, with the involvement of various allies. The struggle for power always ends with the taking of power - the mastery of power with its use for certain purposes: a radical reorganization or the elimination of the old power. The mastery of power can be the result of volitional actions, both peaceful and violent.

History has shown that the progressive development of the political system is possible only in the presence of competing forces. The absence of alternative programs, including the proposed oppositions, reduces the need for timely correction of the program of action adopted by the winning majority.

During the last two decades of the 20th century, new opposition parties and movements appeared on the political scene: green, environmental, social justice and the like. They are a significant factor in the socio-political life of many countries, they have become a kind of catalyst for the renewal of political activity. These movements place the main emphasis on extra-parliamentary methods of political activity, however, they have, although indirect, indirect, but still, an impact on the exercise of power: their demands and appeals, under certain conditions, can become political in nature.

Thus, political power is not only one of the core concepts of political science, but also the most important factor in political practice. Through its mediation and influence, the integrity of society is established, social relations in various spheres of life are regulated.

Power is a volitional relationship between two subjects, in which one of them - the subject of power - makes certain demands on the behavior of the other, and the other - in this case it will be a subject subject, or an object of power - obeys the orders of the first.

Political power is a volitional relationship between social entities that make up a politically (i.e. state) organized community, the essence of which is to induce one social entity to behave in the direction desired by itself through the use of its authority, social and legal norms, organized violence , economic, ideological, emotional-psychological and other means of influence.

There are types of power:

· according to the area of ​​functioning, political and non-political power are distinguished;

· in the main areas of society - economic, state, spiritual, church power;

· by functions - legislative, executive and judicial;

· according to their place in the structure of society and the authorities as a whole, they distinguish central, regional, local government; republican, regional, etc.

Political science is the study of political power. Power in society appears in non-political and political forms.

Political power acts as a real ability and possibility of an organized class or social group, as well as individuals reflecting their interests, to carry out their will in politics and legal norms.

The political forms of power include state power. Distinguish between political and state power. Every state power is political, but not every political power is state power.

State power is power exercised with the help of a special apparatus and having the ability to turn to the means of organized and legally enshrined violence.

The most important features of state power are its public nature and the presence of a certain territorial structure, which is subject to state sovereignty.

State power performs a number of functions in society: it establishes laws, administers justice, manages all aspects of the life of society.

Political power can also be non-state: party and military.

The objects of political power are: society as a whole, various spheres of its life (economy, social relations, culture, etc.), various social communities (class, national, territorial, confessional, demographic), socio-political formations (parties, organizations), citizens.

The subjects of political power are a person, a social group, an organization that implement a policy or are able to relatively independently participate in political life in accordance with their interests.

Any subject of politics can be a social bearer of power.

The ruling class is the class that dominates in the economic, social, political and spiritual fields, which determines social development in accordance with its will and fundamental interests. The ruling class is not homogeneous.

The ruling class, in order to exercise power, forms a relatively small group that includes the top of various layers of this class - an active minority that has access to the tools of power. Most often it is called the ruling elite, sometimes the ruling or ruling circles.

Elite is a group of individuals who have specific characteristics and professional qualities that make them "elected" in one or another area of ​​public life, science, and production.

The political elite is subdivided into the leading one, which directly owns state power, and the opposition - the counter-elite; to the higher one, which makes decisions that are significant for the whole society, and the middle one, which acts as a kind of barometer public opinion and includes about five percent of the population.

The social bearers of power can be not only the ruling class, the elite and the bureaucracy, but also individuals expressing the interests of a large social group. Each such person is called a political leader.

Pressure groups are organized associations created by representatives of certain social strata to exert targeted pressure on legislators and officials in order to satisfy their own specific interests.

The opposition also has an influence on the exercise of political power, in a broad sense, the opposition is the usual political disagreements and disputes on current issues, all direct and indirect manifestations of public dissatisfaction with the existing regime.

Traditionally, there are two main types of opposition: non-systemic (destructive) and systemic (constructive). The first group includes those political parties and groups whose action programs completely or partially contradict official political values.

The struggle for power reflects the tense, rather conflicting degree of confrontation and counteraction of the existing social forces of political parties in matters of attitude to power, to understanding its role, tasks and capabilities.

Political power is not only one of the core concepts of political science, but also the most important factor in political practice. Through its mediation and influence, the integrity of society is established, social relations in various spheres of life are regulated.

2. Sources and resources of political power

political power social legitimate

Sources of power - objective and subjective conditions that cause the heterogeneity of society, social inequality. These include strength, wealth, knowledge, position in society, the presence of an organization. The involved sources of power turn into the foundations of power - a set of significant factors in the life and activities of people used by some of them to subordinate other people to their will. Power resources are the foundations of power used to strengthen it or redistribute power in society. The resources of power are secondary to its foundations.

Power resources are:

giving birth social structures and institutions, ordering the activities of people for the realization of a certain will, the power destroys social equality.

Due to the fact that the resources of power can neither be completely exhausted nor monopolized, the process of redistribution of power in society is never completed. As a means of achieving various kinds of benefits and advantages, power is always a subject of struggle.

The resources of power constitute the potential foundations of power, i.e. those means that can be used by the ruling group to strengthen their power; power resources can be formed as a result of measures to strengthen power.

Sources of power - objective and subjective conditions that serve as the cause of the heterogeneity of society, social inequality. These include strength, wealth, knowledge, position in society, the presence of an organization.

Power resources are the foundations of power used to strengthen it or redistribute power in society. The resources of power are secondary to its foundations.

Power resources are:

1.Economic (material) - money, real estate, valuables, etc.

2.Social - sympathy, support for social groups.

.Legal - legal norms that are beneficial for certain political subjects.

.Administrative-power - the powers of officials in state and non-state organizations and institutions.

.Cultural-informational - knowledge and information technologies.

.Additional - socio-psychological characteristics of various social groups, beliefs, language, etc.

The logic of conducting participants in power relations is determined by the principles of power:

1)the principle of maintaining power means that the possession of power is a self-evident value (one does not give up power of one's own free will);

2)the principle of effectiveness requires will and other qualities from the bearer of power (decisiveness, foresight, balance, justice, responsibility, etc.);

)the principle of generality presupposes the involvement of all participants in power relations in the implementation of the will of the ruling subject;

)the principle of secrecy lies in the invisibility of power, in the fact that individuals often do not realize their involvement in domination-subordination relations and their contribution to their reproduction.

The resources of power constitute the potential bases of power.

3. Problems of legitimate power

In political theory, the problem of the legitimacy of power is of great importance. Legitimacy means legitimacy, legitimacy of political domination. The term "legitimacy" originated in France and was originally identified with the term "legality". It was used to refer to legally established power as opposed to forcibly usurped power. Currently, legitimacy means the voluntary recognition by the population of the legitimacy of power. M. Weber included two provisions in the principle of legitimacy: 1) recognition of the power of rulers; 2) the duty of the governed to obey it. The legitimacy of power means people's conviction that the government has the right to make decisions that are mandatory for implementation, the readiness of citizens to follow these decisions. In this case, the authorities have to resort to coercion. Moreover, the population allows the use of force if other means to implement the decisions taken do not have an effect.

M. Weber names three bases of legitimacy. First, the authority of customs, consecrated by centuries of tradition, and habit will submit to authority. This is the traditional domination - of the patriarch, tribal leader, feudal lord or monarch over his subjects. Secondly, the authority of an unusual personal gift - charisma, complete devotion and special trust, which is caused by the presence of the qualities of a leader in any person. Finally, the third type of legitimacy of power is domination on the basis of "legality", on the basis of the belief of participants in political life in the justice of the existing rules for the formation of power, that is, the type of power - rational-legal, which is carried out within the framework of most modern states. In practice, pure ideal types of legitimacy do not exist. They are intermingled and complement each other. Although the legitimacy of power is not absolute in any regime, it is the more complete, the less social distance between different groups of the population.

The legitimacy of power and politics is indispensable. It extends to power itself, its goals, means and methods. Legitimacy can be neglected to certain limits only by an overly self-confident government (totalitarian, authoritarian), or a temporary government doomed to leave. Power in society must constantly take care of its legitimacy, based on the need to rule with the consent of the people. However, in democratic countries, the ability of government, according to the American political scientist Seymour M. Lipset, to create and maintain people's conviction that existing political institutions are the best, is not unlimited. In a socially differentiated society, there are social groups that do not share the political course of the government, do not accept it either in detail or in general. Trust in the government is not unlimited, it is given on credit, if the loan is not paid, the government becomes bankrupt. One of the serious political problems of our time has become the question of the role of information in politics. There are fears that the informatization of society strengthens authoritarian tendencies and even leads to dictatorship. The ability to obtain accurate information about every citizen and manipulate the masses of people is maximized when using computer networks. The ruling circles know everything they need, and everyone else knows nothing.

Trends in information development lead political scientists to assume that the political power acquired by the majority through the concentration of information will not be exercised directly. Rather, this process will go through the strengthening of executive power while reducing the real power of official politicians and elected representatives, that is, through a decrease in the role of representative power. The ruling elite formed in this way may turn out to be a kind of "infocracy". The source of the power of the infocracy will not be any merit to the people or society, but only greater opportunities to use information.

Thus, it becomes possible the emergence of another type of power - informational. The status of the information authority, its functions depend on political regime in the country. Information power cannot and should not be the prerogative, the exclusive right of state bodies, but can be represented by individuals, enterprises, domestic and international public associations, and local governments. Measures against monopolization of sources of information, as well as against abuse in the field of information, are established by the legislation of the country.

Legitimacy means legitimacy, legitimacy of political domination. The term "legitimacy" originated in France and was originally identified with the term "legality". It was used to denote legally established power, as opposed to forcibly usurped. Currently, legitimacy means the voluntary recognition by the population of the legitimacy of power.

There are two provisions in the principle of legitimacy: 1) recognition of the power of rulers; 2) the duty of the governed to obey it.

There are three bases of legitimacy. First, the authority of custom. Secondly, the authority of an unusual personal gift. The third type of power legitimacy is domination based on the "legality" of existing rules for the formation of power.

The legitimacy of power and politics is indispensable. It extends to power itself, its goals, means and methods.

The political power acquired by the majority through the concentration of information will not be exercised directly.

Literature

1.Melnik V.A. Political Science: Textbook for High Schools 4th ed., Revised. and additional - Minsk, 2002.

2.Political science: a course of lectures / ed. M.A. Slemneva. - Vitebsk, 2003.

.Political Science: Textbook / ed. S.V. Reshetnikov. Minsk, 2004.

.Reshetnikov S.V. etc. Political science: a course of lectures. Minsk, 2005.

.Kapustin B.G. On the Concept of Political Violence / Political Studies, No. 6, 2003.

.Melnik V.A. Political science: basic concepts and logical schemes: A manual. Minsk, 2003.

.Ekadumova I.I. Political Science: Answers to exam questions. Minsk, 2007.

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Test "Political systems of modern Russia"

1. What is the function of the policy subsystem

A) adaptation function

B) goal-setting function

B) coordination function

D) integration function

2. A special organization of political power in a community that occupies a certain territory, has its own system of government and has internal and external sovereignty is called

A) the state

B) country

In town

D) confession

3 .K n the nation state is

BUT) a religious community united by the unity of the faith

B) a community of people on an ethnic basis capable of serving as the basis or one of the elements of a nation

AT) ideology and practice of coexistence of different cultural groups

G) a special organization of political power in a community.

4. The political system that developed after the Second World War and is characterized by the confrontation between two blocs of states - a socialist led by the USSR and a capitalist led by the United States, is called

A) the North Atlantic world order

B) Warsaw world order

B) the Washington world order

G) Yalta world order

5. International agency The United Nations was created to

A) conducting and controlling free international trade

B) solutions to world conflicts

C) pursuing an aggressive information policy

D) prevention of the global economic crisis

6. What was the name of the Organization of Petroleum Producing and Exporting Countries, which was created in the 60sXX

A) OPEC

B) EU

B) CMEA

D) TNK

7. Which of the countries listed below has implemented an “open door” policy

A) USA

B) China

B) Japan

D) Germany

8. What is the name of the system for performing the functions of the state, in which a significant part of them is automated and transferred to the Internet

A) email

B) information economy

AT) e-government

D) and information society

9 . Privatization is called

BUT) cash payment for the right to use the leased property

B) the process of transferring state property to the private sector

AT) income from factors of production

G) the process of preparing and executing a series of consecutive transactions between the borrower and its creditors and debtors.

10. Which of the following countries is a presidential republic

A) France

B) Germany;

To China;

D) Russia.

11. How did the conflict between the Congress of People's Deputies and President Boris Yeltsin end after the collapse of the USSR

A) the adoption of a new Constitution and elections to the Russian parliament

B) only by the adoption of a new Constitution

C) only elections to the Russian parliament

D) the introduction of the office of president

12. The lower house of the Russian parliament, consisting of 450 deputies, is

BUT) Federal Assembly

B) The State Duma

AT) Council of the Federation

G) Congress of People's Deputies

29. A state that has legislated the priority of one of the nations living on its territory is called

BUT) mono-ethnic state

B) polyethnic state

C) n national state

D) empire

1 3 . The issuer is called

BUT) mandatory state fee collected by the customs authorities when goods are exported outside the state

B) a type of political and economic activity, the main area of ​​which is the establishment of regulations and financial and legal regulation in the field of economic transactions

AT) legal entity issuing equity securities

G) purposeful action to limit or minimize risk, a method of risk financing, which consists in risk transfer.

14. The feeling of pride in one's nation and the desire for its exaltation is called

A) debt

B) self-preservation;

B) pride

D) patriotism.

15.Under ideological dominance is understood

BUT) high level of development of communication technologies;

B) involves control over the main objects of property in other countries;

AT) when they try to impose one system of views on all countries;

G) involves the control of large monetary resources.

16. Democracy in its modern sense has its origin in

A) Ancient Egypt

B) Ancient Greece;

B) Ancient China

D) Ancient India.

17. Which of the following countries has a constitutional monarchy

A) Russia;

B) Spain;

B) France

D) USA.

18. A state that ensures the priority of such values ​​as freedom, human rights, private property, election and accountability to the people of government bodies, in combination with the formation of government bodies exclusively by the people of this country is called

A) constitutional democracy;

B) egalitarian democracy;

C) socialist democracy;

D) sovereign democracy.

19. Recently, a significant element of the concept of state security in Russia has become

BUT) sovereign democracy

B) oligarchic democracy;

C) constitutional democracy;

D) socialist democracy.

20. The ability of a country to withstand competition in international economic relations is called

BUT) national policy;

B) to competitiveness of the country;

C) information model of the economy;

D) political and economic activity of the country.

21. The totality of economic, social, legal and organizational principles of government in the state, which consists of subjects that retain political independence to a greater or lesser extent, is called

A) constitutionalism;

B) unitarism;

B) federalism;

D) democracy.

22. Corruption means

BUT) criminal activity in the field of state and municipal administration, aimed at extracting material benefits from official position and power;

B) the principle of the organization of society, in which the success, promotion, career, public recognition of a person and citizen directly depend on his personal merits to society;

C) an indicator of the material well-being of people, measured by the amount of their income (for example, GNP per capita) or using indicators of material consumption;

D) close-knit social communities that prepare and make the most important decisions in the field of economy and business.

23. Approval and support of the legitimate government by the people is called

A) sovereignty;

B) legitimacy;

B) law-abiding;

D) meeting.

24. The sphere of human activity, which inevitably has a decisive, imperious influence on all other spheres, is

A) economics;

B) religion;

B) politics;

D) information.

25. A systematically organized worldview that expresses the interests of a certain social group (class, estate, professional corporation, religious community, etc.) and requires the subordination of individual thoughts and actions of each member of such a group to the goals of the struggle for participation in power is called

A) political ideology;

B) ideological struggle;

C) political consciousness;

D) political culture.

26. What is the name of a society where the authorities are trying to forcibly establish the ideals of the dominant ideology in the minds of citizens and in practical life

A) a cultural society;

B) ideocratic society;

C) industrial society;

D) a democratic society.

27. What does the presence of a multi-party system lead to

A) to the political opposition;

B) respect for the rule of law;

C) to political competition;

D) to the freedom to receive and disseminate information.

28. What is the name of the form of organization of the state, in which the legislative power in the country belongs to an elected representative body (parliament) and the head of state is elected by the population (or a special electoral body) for a certain period

A) constitutional

B) republican;

B) federal

D) monarchy.

29. The highest legislative body of the country in a parliamentary republic is

A) Parliament

B) the legislature;

B) thought

D) party.

30. Which of the following countries is a parliamentary republic

A) Germany;

B) USA;

In Russia;

D) France.

Test key:

1.B

2.A

3.B

4.G

5 B

6.A

7.A

8.B

9.B

10.A

11.B

12.A

13.B

14.G

15.B

16.B

17.B

18.G

19.A

20.B

21.B

22.A

23.B

24.V

25.A

26.B

27.B

28.B

29.A