POLITICAL AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Abstract

The article examines the political and legal foundations of civil society functioning in Ukraine as one of the key factors of democratization and sustainable state development. It is demonstrated that civil society is not only a collection of institutions, associations, and organizations but also a space for the realization of citizens’ rights, freedoms, and interests, which ensures a balance between the state and society. It is emphasized that the current stage of Ukraine’s development is characterized by the strengthening of civil initiatives, increasing activity of volunteer movements, the development of horizontal forms of interaction, and the formation of new models of social mobilization.

The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that even with certain legal guarantees, the effective functioning of civil institutions is complicated by a number of issues, including political instability, a deficit of trust in state institutions, and a low level of legal culture. Under conditions of martial law, these challenges become particularly acute, as there is simultaneously a need to strengthen democratic practices, ensure social cohesion, and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms.

It is noted that the development of civil society in Ukraine requires consistent improvement of the regulatory and legal framework, creation of transparent mechanisms for citizens’ participation in political decision-making, expansion of public oversight tools, and strengthening the institutional capacity of civil organizations. At the same time, a key task is the formation of a culture of civic responsibility based on the values of democratism, rule of law, solidarity, and social justice. The article concludes that the further development of civil society is possible only under conditions of mutual reinforcement of political and legal factors capable of ensuring its stability and effectiveness in crisis situations.