Conceptualization of the Concept of "Democratic Consolidation" in Modern Political Science

Abstract

The consolidation principles of democracy are studied. It is argued that the concept of "consolidation of democracy" means the preservation of democratic values and ensuring its transformation into undemocratic regimes. However, democratic consolidation is not limited to the outlined markers. At least, an important factor is not only the existence of democratic principles and institutions but their stabilization and evolution. Emphasis is placed on the fact that "consolidation" is not only about democracy but also about totalitarianism and authoritarianism. At the same time, in these political regimes, it is implemented by other methods, in particular, particular, repressive and coercive, although it does not exclude a fairly high degree of legitimacy of power. It is argued that in the context of the study of "democratic consolidation" it is necessary Серія 22. Політичні науки та методика викладання соціально-політичних дисциплін 98 to use not only the institutional approach, but also, above all, the procedural approach inherent in the so-called "deliberative" democracy. That is, in order to be able to assess the level and quality of the existing signs of democracy, it is necessary to focus not only on the existence of formal democratic institutions but also to assess the procedural side of the implementation of basic democratic procedures. In particular, such a basic democratic procedure is a debate and discussion of the key principles of society with the involvement of a wide range of citizens. Democratic institutions: the presidency, whether parliamentary, centralism or federalism, majoritarianism or consensual, the presence or absence of a written constitution and judicial review, cannot in themselves guarantee democratic consolidation, as they can be used to achieve goals beyond these democratic institutions. such use can reach considerable proportions and even exceed the basic purpose of these democratic institutions. One of the main threats to the functioning of democratic institutions is particularism, which is seen as the dominance of private interests over public ones and can be a significant problem for democratic consolidation. The "rule of law" in all spheres of society, which presupposes following not only the "letter" but also the "spirit of the law," becomes the safeguard of particularism.