POLITICAL RISK AS A CRITERION OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

Abstract

The article examines political risk as a key criterion of the functionality of the political system under conditions of growing uncertainty, socio-political transformations, and military challenges. It substantiates the argument that political risk is not merely an accompanying phenomenon of political activity but a structural element of the political process that reflects the system’s capacity to make decisions, adapt to change, and maintain stability in crisis situations. The political system operates within an environment of persistent internal and external threats, which necessitates risk management as an integral component of its effectiveness. Political risk is closely linked to the interests of political actors, the decision-making process, and the limitations of knowledge regarding the consequences of political decisions. The nature and level of political risk are determined by the interaction between political institutions, group interests, and the conditions under which political power is exercised. Special attention is given to the role of political crises and military conflicts as factors that increase the risk-proneness of the political environment while simultaneously acting as catalysts for institutional change. It is demonstrated that political stability does not imply the absence of risks but rather presupposes the existence of mechanisms for their identification, control, and mitigation. The erosion of political legitimacy, irregularity of political interactions, and weakening of institutions indicate a decline in the functionality of the political system and an increase in political risk. The article concludes that political risk is a universal, collective, and dynamic phenomenon, the level of which serves as an indicator of the condition of the political system. The analysis of political risk makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of political institutions, their ability to respond to challenges, and their capacity to ensure stability in situations of heightened threat.