Fundamentals of Democracy: A Textbook

This textbook gives a thorough account of the main topics concerning democratic development of a society. It dwells upon a democratic order and its basic components from the point of view of normative ideal, of approaching to it by countries with a stable democracy, and of the ways and methods it can be established in Ukraine. Much attention is paid to the importance of law supremacy, of constitutionalism, and of legality of actions undertaken by all institutions and participants involved in political life. A stress is also laid on the creation and proper organization of the effective justice system, and on the introducing new modern forms of public administration. The authors clear up the significance of different forms of civic participation, of organized and active civil society functioning, of independent mass media and public opinion as democratic institutions, and of political parties, elections, and organized groups of interests through which an incessant connection between citizens and representatives of political power is realized. A considerable attention is given to the analysis of modern challenges which a democratic state faces, and to the ways they can be responded to by the means of economic, social, ethnic and cultural, gender and educational policies.