Civil society is the basis of modern civilization, without which it is impossible to imagine a democratic state. Initially, it was positioned as opposed to military, command and administrative systems, where all citizens obeyed the instructions of the authorities and could not influence them in any way. But civil society looks very different. An example of a developed self-awareness of citizens is easy to find in Western Europe. Without the existence of a developed civil society, it is impossible to build a truly legal state where all citizens, regardless of their position and status, from a simple worker to the country's president, obey the law.
What is civil society?
In order to start thinking about the principles of functioning and the history of the origin of civil society in its modern sense, it is necessary to clarify what is meant by this term. So, civil society is a manifestation of the active actions of free citizens of the country, which independently organized into non-profit associations and operate independently of the state, and also are not exposed to any external influence.
What is the essence of such a society?
There are some examples of manifestations of civil society that characterize the relationship between the individual and the state:
- the interests of society and the state cannot stand above the interests of the individual;
- the highest value is the freedom of the citizen;
- there is an inalienable right of a citizen to private property;
- no one has the right to interfere in the personal affairs of a citizen if he does not violate the law;
- citizens conclude an informal agreement between themselves on the creation of a civil society, which is a protective layer between them and the state.
The main difference between civil society is that people can freely organize into professional groups or interest groups, and their activities are protected from government interference.
History of the emergence of civil society
Many thinkers, even in ancient Greece, wondered what was the reason for the creation of the state and its integral part - society. What motives did ancient people move when they united in such complex and multifunctional public formations that occupied large territories. And how did they influence those who came to power in a certain period of time.
Despite the fact that domestic science only recently paid close attention to the formation of civil society, its formation and development, this burning discussion has been going on for hundreds of years in world political science and philosophy, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated. In the framework of scientific works, such great minds as Aristotle, Cicero, Machiavelli, Hegel, Marx and many, many others tried to determine the main features within the framework of which the functioning of civil society became possible. They found examples in those states and within those political systems under which they lived. One of the most important and urgent has always been the question of the nature of the relationship between the state and civil society. What principles are these relations based on and are they always equally beneficial to both parties?
What examples already existed in world history?
History knows many examples of civil society. For example, during the Middle Ages, the Italian city of Venice became a model of the democratic principle of checks and balances within the framework of political power. Many social signs, which are something common for us, were first realized there. The foundations of the value of the individual and her freedoms, the realization of the need to provide equal rights - these and many other ideas of democracy were born precisely then.
Another city-state in Italy - Florence, has made an invaluable contribution to the development of this historical phenomenon called civil society. The example of Venice certainly had a significant impact.
It is also worth noting the German cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lubeck, they also developed the foundations of civic identity and observed the influence of the population on the style and methods of managing these cities.
Was there something similar in Russia?
Despite the territorial remoteness and cultural differences, one can find examples of civil society in Russia both on its modern territory and on the territory of neighboring states that are close in spirit to it. First of all, we are talking about Novgorod and Pskov, in which, with the development of trade, a unique political and economic system has developed. Due to the access to the sea, and, accordingly, a great opportunity to trade with neighboring cities and principalities, craft and trading houses were actively developing in these cities. The classic approach for that period of time was not suitable for their full and successful activity, therefore a form of government with a democratic bias developed here.
Features of Novgorod and Pskov
The basis of the life of Novgorod and Pskov was the prevailing middle class, which was engaged in trade and production of goods, provided various services. City management was carried out through the convening of a popular council. All free people had the right to participate in these meetings. Those who were not free included citizens who pledged and worked for part of the product received on the land of the owner, or who fell into bondage for debts, and lackeys were also among them.
What is characteristic is that the prince was an elected office. If the townspeople were not happy with the way the prince performed his functions, they could remove him from this post and choose another candidate. The city concluded an agreement with the prince, in which quite a few restrictions were imposed on his authority. For example, he could not acquire land in property, he was not allowed to conclude agreements with foreign states without the mediation of the Novgorodians themselves, and much more. These relationships perfectly characterize the concept of civil society, an example of which is demonstrated by the management institutions created in Novgorod and Pskov.
Interest in the principles of the development of civil society in post-Soviet Russia
In the late 80s, and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, conversations and discussions about the rule of law, its foundations, as well as the principles of the formation of civil society in the new country sounded with triple force. Interest in this topic has been and remains very high, because after many decades of complete merging of the state and society, it was necessary to understand how to quickly, but painlessly create something that took several centuries in Western democracies.
Young historians and political scientists studied examples of the formation of civil society, invited numerous experts from abroad in order to directly adopt the successful experience of other states.
Problems in the modern manifestations of citizenship in Russia
Economic failures and problems arose at every turn. It was not easy to convey to citizens that now their lives, prosperity, and future depend largely on their personal choice, and that they must do it consciously. Generations of people did not have full rights and freedoms. This had to be taught. Any civil society, an example of which is being studied by modern scholars, suggests that, first of all, the initiative should come from the citizens themselves, who recognize themselves as the main driving force of the state. Besides rights, these are duties.
