The concept, characteristics, main goals of civil society

The main goals of civil society are related to the building of a democratic state. Russia is also considered to be such - it is spelled out in the Constitution. More details on what civil society is, the concept and signs of a law-based state.

The concept of

A legal state is a system of governing a country based on the rule of law and democracy. In him all are equal before the Law. It does not matter social position, property qualification of a citizen, religion, sex. The main postulate is that everyone is equal before the law and the court. The main goal of civil society is to build such a state.

And what was before?

A striking example of the lack of equality in the legal situation is Russia during serfdom. The official laws of the country stated that for the same unlawful actions, people from different social classes received different punishments. This tradition goes deep into antiquity. Even the Russian Truth, the first officially recorded written code of the laws of Rus, contained articles that for the murder of the smerd (a position below the average), a finer (vira) was foreseen for the more privileged kindred than for the theft of the prince's horse. To the culprits in the death of the prince's tyny or the boy, the death penalty was applied.

Of course, different punishments are envisaged even now. For example, for causing harm to a policeman during execution, one can get a harsher punishment than for an ordinary citizen. But today we are dealing with official demarcations, and not with a social caste. A policeman, taking off his uniform, becomes an ordinary citizen, like everyone else, without special rights and privileges, unlike in past times.

The main goals of civil society are aimed at building a state in which everyone will be equal before the law. But similar ideas have already arisen in history. Socialist and communist views also called for general equality. But there are a number of differences.

Signs of the rule of law

In the socialist system it is assumed that all are equal, but the highest value of society is the development of the state. Personality as such should not exist. The individual is a cog in the huge mechanism of the state, which can be replaced without his consent, sent to another job, to take property, to call for war, etc. The signs of a democratic rule of law are:

• Contemporary civil society.
• Equality of all before the law and the court.
• Democratic elections.
• The main value is a person, her rights and freedoms.
• State power is divided into independent legislative, executive and judicial.

Civil Society: Concept and Signs

Civil society is an integral part of a legal state that involves a society with developed economic, social, cultural, and political relations.

It is based on three principles: a person, a collective, a state. Hence the main goals of civil society, which must be achieved in the state:

1. Freedom of the individual based on the observance of the rights and freedoms of a citizen and a person, equal opportunities for talents, and not by origin, the choice of each profession and creativity.
2. Creation of collectives defending the rights of each of its members: trade unions, public associations, political parties, labor collectives, to talk with the authorities on an equal footing, from the position of strength.
3. Creation of a democratic state with freedom of speech, press, political pluralism. It should work for the interests of collectives and individuals, and not vice versa.

The main goals of civil society assume that the individual through association in collectives will defend his rights through various democratic institutions:

• Elections.
• Referendums.
• Promotions.
• Pickets.
• Public participation in discussions, etc.

Example of civil society

A clear example of a country with a developed civil society is France. There is a well-developed network of trade unions and labor collectives, which are united into a single whole. Any worsening of the situation in the labor legislation - and millions of people go to the streets at once. You can see flaming cars and broken glass, but this is rare. Basically, all events are held within the law. During the mass strikes, the situation is deteriorating so much that the authorities are forced to take emergency measures.

A recent example of such actions was the mass protest action of transport companies before the European Football Championship in 2016. The situation was so serious that FIFA even wanted to move the cup to another country. Fortunately, the authorities managed to agree with the trade unions.

The problems of building civil society in Russia

Despite the fact that the theme "Civil Society" (9th grade, 11th grade, social studies, history) is actively studied in institutes and schools, in Russia it does not develop to the proper extent. Elections to the State Duma in September 2016 showed a turnout of less than 50%. This indicates a low civic position in the country. It is believed that a developed society with an active civic position issues a turnout at the elections of more than 60-70%.

Weakly working trade unions, labor collectives in our country. Over the past few years, the situation of workers has significantly worsened. In the country there is an increase in taxes, the introduction of new fees, etc. None of these episodes were accompanied by mass demonstrations of many thousands. People defend their rights alone, according to the principle of "my hut with the land," but the main goals of civil society are the joint defense of citizens of their rights and freedoms by lawful means.