The activity of political parties as an indicator of the development of civil society and a democratic state in Ukraine

The article examines the activity of political parties in the context of the development of democracy in Ukraine. It is noted that political parties are an indicator of the development of civil society and a democratic state. In modern democracies, the increase in electoral activity is largely related to the activity of political parties, since one of their main functions is to ensure the relationship between civil society and the state. parties act as the main organizers and actors of all election campaigns. In state bodies of modern democratic societies, party influence is exercised through deputies, factions, party leaders elected to state positions. Political parties that have won elections or managed to get their representatives to legislative bodies are given the opportunity to engage in legislative activity, as well as to take an active part in the selection of personnel. Given the current dramatic changes in the world order, military challenges and threats (in particular, from the Russian Federation), the current political reality has changed. In recent years, functioning democratic procedures have been formed in Ukraine, ensuring real interaction between political associations and state authorities in many areas. This is primarily joint participation in such processes as the development of economic and social programs for the development of civil society; the formation of state authorities and local self-government, in particular through the electoral process; the adoption of political and administrative decisions; rule-making; legislative activity; resolving issues of public importance, etc. It is emphasized that given the importance of political parties for the effective functioning of democratic institutions, their institutionalization is a significant catalyst for the process of democratic consolidation. Trends in the relationship between political parties and the state are highlighted. The first is characterized by the activation and expansion of the influence of political parties, movements, various political interest groups on the state, the strengthening of their control over it, the direct participation of their representatives in the activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies. This refers to their ability to decisively influence the resolution of issues of national and local importance through direct or indirect participation. The second trend is associated with the activities of the opposition, its desire to achieve a redistribution of power, proposals for the formation of a majority in parliament. It is emphasized that it is the competition between different political forces that adds dynamism to elections and is a factor that contributes to the renewal of power. The third trend (of a negative nature) is expressed in, so to speak, the desire of a number of political parties to lobby the corporate interests of the state administration apparatus, as well as various business and criminal structures (the so-called lobbying corporatism. The conclusion is made that despite the difficulties of political and economic reform of Ukrainian society, the ongoing war on the part of the Russian Federation, a system of interaction between political parties, civil society and state authorities is being formed in Ukraine. At the current stage of the development of the Ukrainian state, their interaction takes on certain forms that are characterized by democratic characteristics.