Value abbreviations for the functioning of democratic political institutes in Ukraine.

Abstract

The article analyzes the interconnection of political values and the effectiveness of democratic political institutions. The expediency of considering freedom of expression as the main value in the structure of democratic political culture is substantiated. It is proved that democratic institutions can function effectively only if they are in line with the public values of citizens. Historical facts show that both values and democratic institutions can be primary. However, in conditions of hybrid political regimes, despite the formal presence of democratic institutions, values remain authoritarian in connection with the establishment of informal, non-institutionalized political relations.

A hypothesis concerning the rapid formation of democratic values during the Revolution of Dignity has been refuted. In Ukraine, due to the long authoritarian past, the leading feature of political culture is state paternalism, social apathy, lack of personal responsibility and initiative. Therefore, despite the significant activation of social capital, citizens have resorted to non-conventional forms of political participation, which testifies to the hybrid non-institutionalized nature of democracy. At the present stage, the vast majority of citizens are inclined to adhere to democratic values for the sake of security. This is due to the crisis of the functioning of the political system, constant social shifts and conflicts.

It is indicated on the necessity of solving the value dilemma of freedom versus security in the context of further institutionalization of democracy. It is revealed that the main mechanism of stimulation of personality self-expression is based on the activation of social capital through the development of alternative forms of group identification, the creation of a network of voluntary organizations, and the establishment of horizontal communicative ties.