THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOSIETY IN UKRAINE AND POLAND

Abstract

The authors offer their own approach to the analysis of civil society and its relationship with the institution of state in the territory of post-Soviet countries, namely, in Ukraine and Poland. The issue of the research of culture and history is particularly acutely raised in the research of activities of modern political institutions. The authors believe that a thorough and detailed review of stereotypes, mentality, history and traditions, including political, will provide an opportunity to fully understand the political processes today. This article is based on the heritage of Ronald Inglehart and his approach to the understanding of the relationship between values and political institutions, between the external form of expression, behavior, and the attitudes of citizens. Along with cultural determinants, the authors emphasize the level of economic development of the respective state as a significant determinant of civil society. They believe that only a change in the political behavior of citizens can lead to both enrichment and development of civil society in Ukraine, since poverty is not an exclusive phenomenon of the independence period. In their opinion, the most effective way to improve the democratic potential in Ukraine is education. Upon analyzing a large number of empirical material, including indices developed by Edelman Trust Barometer, Freedom House, UN statistics, the authors reach conclusions on the types of interaction between civil society and the state, pointing out that a potential for the development of civil society is present in both Poland and Ukraine, though used differently: Poland, with the support of Western Europe, is steadily moving towards a consolidated democracy, while Ukraine needs to invest more resources in the development of the educational sector, which it does not do currently.