Functions of the political system

In systems theory under function refers to any action aimed at maintaining the system in a stable state and ensuring its viability. Actions that contribute to the destruction of the organization and stability of the system are considered as dysfunction.

One of the generally accepted classifications of the functions of the political system was presented G. Almond and J. Powell. They singled out the importance of those functions, each of which satisfies a certain need of the system, and together they provide "preservation of the system through its change."

Preservation or maintenance of the existing model of the political system is carried out with the help of functions political socialization.

Political socialization is the process of acquiring political knowledge, beliefs, feelings, values ​​inherent in the society in which a person lives. Introducing an individual to political values, following the standards of political behavior accepted in society, and a loyal attitude towards the institutions of power ensure the maintenance of the existing model of the political system. The stability of the political system is achieved if its functioning is based on principles that correspond to the political culture of the society.

The viability of the system is ensured by its ability to adapt to the environment, its capabilities. Function adaptation can be carried out with the help of political recruiting - training and selection of subjects of power (leaders, elites) who are able to find the most effective ways to solve pressing problems and offer them to society.

Thanks to the function response the political system responds to impulses, signals coming from outside or from within it. Highly developed reactivity allows the system to quickly adapt to changing operating conditions. This is especially important when new demands of groups and parties appear, ignoring which can lead to the disintegration and disintegration of society.

The political system is able to respond effectively to emerging demands if it has the resources. It draws these resources from the internal or external economic, natural, etc. environment. This function is called extraction . The resources obtained must be distributed in such a way as to ensure the integration and agreement of the interests of various groups within society. Consequently, the distribution of goods, services and statuses by the political system is the content of its distributive (distributive) function.

The political system influences society through management, coordination of the behavior of individuals and groups. The managerial actions of the political system express the essence governing functions. It is implemented by introducing norms and rules on the basis of which individuals interact.

Types of political systems.

The typology of political systems is carried out on the basis of taking into account various features (reasons). One of the first classifications (typologies) comes from their relationship with the external environment. According to this criterion, political systems are divided into closed and open. Closed political systems have limited connections with the external environment, are immune to the values ​​of other systems, and are self-sufficient, i.e., development resources are found within such systems. Open systems actively exchange resources with the outside world, successfully assimilate the advanced values ​​of other systems, are mobile and dynamic. The former countries of socialism (USSR, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc.) can serve as examples of closed systems. The developed democracies of the West are an example of open political systems.

Quite common is the classification of political systems by political regime that is, on the basis of the nature and methods of interaction between power, personality and society. According to this criterion, totalitarian political systems, authoritarian and democratic. The totalitarian political system is characterized by the complete subordination of the individual and society to power, regulation and control over all spheres of people's lives by the state. An authoritarian political system is based on the unlimited power of one person or group of people, while maintaining certain economic, civil, and spiritual freedoms for citizens. A democratic political system presupposes the priority of individual rights, society's control over power.

French political scientist J. Blondel distinguishes between political systems content and forms of management. He identifies five of their main varieties: 1) liberal democracies, in which political decision-making is focused on the values ​​of individualism, freedom, property; 2) communist systems, or authoritarian-radical, guided by the values ​​of equality, social justice; 3) traditional political systems based on oligarchic forms of government and focused on the uneven distribution of economic resources and social statuses; four) populist political systems, prevailing in developing countries; they use authoritarian methods of government and strive for greater equality in the distribution of wealth; 5) authoritarian-conservative political systems, pursuing the goals of maintaining social and economic inequality, limiting the political participation of the population.

The classification of political systems can be based on class principle, that is, the interests of which class the political system expresses. Such a typology is characteristic of Marxism, which considered the political system as an instrument in the hands of the economically dominant class. On this basis, they distinguished slave, feudal, capitalist and communist (socialist) political systems.

G. Almond differentiated political systems type of political culture and separation of political roles between participants in the political process. He singled out four types of political systems: Anglo-American, European-continental, pre-industrial and partly industrial, totalitarian.

For Anglo-American political system(USA, Great Britain) is characterized by a high degree of separation of political roles and functions between the participants in the political process. Power and influence are distributed among various parts of the political system. The political system functions within the framework of a homogeneous culture focused on the protection of liberal values ​​generally recognized in society: freedom, security, property, etc.

European-continental political system(Western European countries) is distinguished by a split political culture, the presence within national cultures of opposite orientations, ideals, values ​​inherent in some class, ethnic group, group, party. Therefore, the division of political roles and functions does not occur on the scale of society, but within a class, group, party, etc. However, the presence of heterogeneous subcultures does not interfere with finding agreement in society, since there is a common cultural basis - liberal values.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETY.

Reasons for the diversity of state-legal forms within the same type of states

There is a definite relationship between type and form. For the slave-owning type, the most appropriate form is a monarchy. For the feudal - the monarchy, the republic (the exception is the Novgorod Republic). Bourgeois type - republics, constitutional monarchies (exception). This analysis establishes a relationship between type and form.

It is necessary to identify the factors influencing this:

1. The level of economic development (finally determines);

2. Immediate factors:

a) The balance of political forces within the state and in the international arena;

b) The degree of severity of the political struggle;

c) National and cultural traditions;

d) Geographic location.

Why after the revolution in France a republic, and in England - a monarchy? In France, the correlation of political forces is the bourgeoisie, a strong struggle. In England, the balance is weak political struggle, the desire for compromises and, as a result, a limited constitutional monarchy.

The countries of Eastern Europe are changing political forces in favor of the Soviet Union.

The political system arises as a result of the interaction of the state with the institutions of civil society.

The main goal is the most effective management of the political, social and economic processes of society based on the study of the interests of various segments of the population, on the basis of which politically balanced, optimal decisions are made.

In textbooks, the political organization of society (the political system of society) is defined as the totality of state and public organizations participating in political life. This is a working definition. Its presence does not mean that there is a uniform approach. There are different views on understanding the political system, its subject composition, etc.

The political system is a set of state and non-state associations participating in the political life of society. The following subjects:

1. State;

2. Political parties;

3. Public associations.

So, the political system is considered as an organizational cut of the organization of the political life of society.

The second point of view: they propose to include not only political organizations, but also ideas, political relations between subjects, norms regulating political activity. Some authors propose to include an individual, a nation, a people.

There is a problem: are the concepts of "political organization" and "political system of society" identical? The term "political system of society" arose later, at the end of the 70s, when the systemic method became the most popular. Then some authors took a different approach to understanding the political system. The political system should include not only organizations (in the form of public associations, the state, political parties), but also the relations that arise between them, the norms that regulate these relationships and the activities of these organizations, legal political consciousness mediating political and legal dialogues these organizations. Τᴀᴋᴎᴍ ᴏϬᴩᴀᴈᴏᴍ, the concept was extended to the concept of a political superstructure. The question arises: how legitimate is this?

1. ideas, views

2. relationships that develop on their basis

3. organizations that implement ideas, views through interaction

Political superstructure Keywords: political views, ideas, political relations, political organizations. Τᴀᴋᴎᴍ ᴏϬᴩᴀᴈᴏᴍ, if we expand the scope of the category "political organization", then we will bring it to the scope of the category "political superstructure". And that doesn't do any good. Therefore, such an extension is not justified. It is more correct to leave behind the political superstructure the organizational means of political life. Some authors, in addition to the state, political relations, include other elements: some - individuals as independent subjects of the political system, others - nations, nationalities, classes. Those. so-called social communities. In the process of controversy, the question arises about the criteria for selecting elements of a political system. This issue was worked out in detail by Marchenko N.N. in the monograph "Political organization of modern society". He proposed the following classifying features as a criterion:

1. Material (the subject can only be a material entity; do not correspond - views, ideas, relationships)

2. Organizational (the subject of the political system may not be any material entity, but that, ĸᴏᴛᴏᴩᴏᴇ, to one degree or another, is organizationally formalized; it does not correspond - a nation, an individual).

3. Political criterion. This criterion can be considered:

1) participation in the exercise of state power (but then opposition parties and public relations will be left out, resulting in a "picture of the ruling class": the state + ruling parties),

2) participation in political life. Correctly follow this criterion.

Politics is, first of all, the relationship between states, the design of basic directions, forms and methods for solving problems. The core of power politics is about the conquest, retention and use of power.

Politics:

a) the struggle for power, power relations regarding the conquest, use and retention of power;

b) relations between various social groups, classes, peoples, nations, states;

c) participation in the affairs of the state and determination of the basic directions of its activity. These political relations are formed on the basis of certain theories and views.

Political life is the realization of these political relations. The question arises about the place of the Church. Previously, it was not included. The sphere of political life is wider than the sphere of state life. The church has a certain influence, influence on political life, but it does not belong to the state. It should not be excluded from the political system.

Subjects can be classified within these criteria.

By political criteria:

* State

* Political Party

* Public associations:

* political nature (youth associations)

* relatively political in nature

* indirect (sports societies, philatelic societies)

The political system and the political organization of society are concepts that are equivalent in volume.

Can there be illegal subjects of the political system? Politics is a broader concept than state activity. For this reason, any activity, in connection with this, any activity that is not legal, is also political.

The main directions of the political system are manifested in its functions. Functions of the political system:

1. Integration (integral) function, unifying (unites various subjects of political life within a single political system);

2. Distributive function (within the framework of the political system, political power is distributed, especially through the electoral mechanism, some seize more influential levers);

3. The function of identifying and taking into account the interests of various social groups, since the goal of the political system is the most effective management of the economy, social and political processes in society;

4. The function of determining the basic directions for the development of the political system (for Russia, the issue of the formation of the rule of law is relevant)

5. Educational function (acquisition of political experience and experience of social activity. Public associations and formations have the greatest influence).

Classification, typology of political systems can occur according to various criteria.

1. Political system based on distributive system of relations. The results of labor are consciously distributed by government officials. These officials organize production, distribute products, and determine prices. A person's place depends on his ties (kinship, political, etc.). The social environment is not stable, it does not contain a vice - equalization, which becomes the dominant ideology, kills the motivation to work. Such an environment generates an appropriate political system, characterized by a high role of the state and apparatus. It interferes in all areas of society. Characterized by a one-party system. As a rule, the role of a political party is enshrined in law and, as a result, the merging of the state and the party apparatus - party states. The head of the party is the head of state. Political systems are closed, the exchange of ideas and information is difficult. There is a conservation of public life. All this generates social dependency and political tolerance of the population.

For example, the USSR - one form of ownership (state), egalitarian distribution system, centralization of power and political system, one-party system. The state controls all spheres of public life.

2. Political system based on market, commodity-money basis, free enterprise. Money, as an equivalent of measuring the results of labor, regulates the system of the economy. The position in society is determined by activity, enterprise, capital. At the same time, property can also be acquired dishonestly, by criminal means - social upheavals are possible. This model is more dynamic and stable.

The political system is characterized by the fact that the state is the organizer of the conditions for a market economy. Political pluralism, multi-party system. The property is protected and guaranteed by the state. Such a system is a liberal-democratic model of social development in the last decades of the twentieth century. The state operates in organizational and legal forms, which is ensured by constitutional regulation.

3. Mixed, transitional social environment - convergent (from 1 to 2). An example is our political system. Mixed political environment and system. A significant drawback is instability and inconsistency, it contains incompatible political institutions. This is Russia in the 1920s during the NEP period.

Lecture No. 6. THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE SOCIETY.

Main questions

1. Political system: essence and structure.

2. Functions of the political system.

3. Typology of political systems.

Before proceeding to consider the political system of society, it is necessary to recall the general concept of the system. It must be said that it came to political science from physics and biology. General systems theory was created in the middle of the twentieth century. One of its founders, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, defined the system as "a set of interdependent elements", i.e. they are so interconnected that if you change one element, then all the others will change too, and, consequently, the whole set will change.

The interconnectedness, interdependence of all elements of power has been felt for a long time, but the scientific formulation of the concept of "political system" was made by Easton and Almond only in the 50-60s. XX century, as a result of the crisis of behaviorism.

A political system is understood as a stable form of human relations, through which authoritative-imperious decisions are made and implemented for a given society.

The political system differs from other systems of society in four ways.

1. It is universal in terms of the coverage of a given society with its impact, extends to all its members.

2. It claims ultimate control over the use of physical coercion.

3. Her right to make binding decisions is accepted as legitimate.

Among the many definitions of a political system, the most common is the following:

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF SOCIETY is a complex set of state institutions, political parties, public associations, political relations and legal norms through which the political life of society takes place and state and public power is exercised.

Speaking figuratively, the political system is a kind of system of vessels through which political power flows. Those. the basis, the core of the political system is political power, just as the basis of the economic system is property.

In science, it is customary to distinguish five main components (elements) that make up the structure of the political system: political institutions, political relations, political principles and norms, political consciousness and culture, and political regime.

to political institutions(organizational component of the political system) include the state, political parties, public organizations and movements, as well as labor collectives and the media.

According to the degree of involvement in political life and the exercise of power, institutions are divided into three types:

a) Self-political, which directly and directly exercise political power in full, or strive for it. It is the state and political parties and movements. The leading place belongs to the state. It is the backbone, the core of the political system, it concentrates the main fullness of power in it.

Political parties express the interests and goals of certain classes and social groups. One of the main purposes of the parties is to achieve power in the state, to realize these interests.

b) Improperly political institutions: trade unions, youth unions, cooperative associations and others. For them, politics is just one of the activities.

c) Non-political organizations. These are voluntary unions, societies, for example, sports, creative, nature conservation, etc., whose activities are not related to the exercise of political power, but at some points in the development of society can be politicized.

Labor collectives are also among the non-political organizations. Their purpose is to fulfill production tasks. The political in their activity matures as they exhaust the possibilities of solving production problems by economic methods, as well as in the performance of political functions that are not professional for them.

An active and independent institution of the political system is the mass media: press, radio, television. Their influence on political life is so great that it is no coincidence that today they are called the fourth estate. It is important to take into account that some of the media are actually political, as they belong to political parties and reflect party views, some media are involved in politics from time to time, and many media are far from politics and cover culture, sports, criminal and social life.

Second(communicative) element of the political system is political relations that are formed in society about the conquest and exercise of political power. These are relations between political institutions, between subjects and objects of politics, between citizens and the state.

Relations can be of a different nature: cooperation and confrontation, agreement and conflict, neutrality and opposition, coordination and subordination, etc.

To third(normative) component of the political system include political principles and norms. The interaction of political institutions occurs on the basis of certain principles and legal norms.

Political principles and legal norms regulate political relations, give them order, determine what is desirable and undesirable, what is permitted and what is not permitted. Legal norms are enshrined in the constitution and laws based on it, in other normative acts: decrees, resolutions, instructions.

Of great importance in political life are unwritten norms, norms of morality and ethics. For example, do not lie, do not swear ...

fourth The (ideological) component of the political system is political consciousness and political culture. They represent a set of value orientations, political ideas, attitudes and political behavior typical for a given society or social group. Political culture is manifested in the behavior of citizens. Great importance in the formation of political consciousness and culture belongs to the ideology.

As a result of the interaction of all four named components of the political system, a certain political order (political regime) is formed in society. Political regime- this is a certain political climate, a way of exercising political power in a given society.

Most often, three types of political regimes are distinguished: democratic, authoritarian and totalitarian.

Functions of the political system.

The essence of the political system is manifested in its functions. Functions- these are certain types of activities that satisfy the needs of the system for self-preservation and directed organization. The functions of the political system can be analyzed at the macro, media, micro levels.

At the macro level, the most general requirements are identified that govern the functioning of the political system as a whole.

At the media level, the most characteristic areas of ensuring the legitimacy, stability and dynamism of the political system are distinguished.

At the micro level, the characteristic elements of political technology or political process are analyzed.

At the macro level, I highlight the following functions:

1. Program - that is, the definition of common collective goals and objectives for the development of society. The goals can be global in nature and openly declared (Program for building communism), or they can only be present in the statements of candidates in the elections.

2. Integration - ensuring links, coordination between all elements of the political system in achieving some goals.

3. Adaptation is a function of adaptation to the environment, its capabilities and partial subordination of the environment to one's interests. That is, the support of the general population is being ensured. The weakness of adaptation is a sign of the closed system, the loss of legitimacy.

4. The function of self-preservation is reduced to the suppression and prevention of violent changes in government, system, and policy. It is achieved by ensuring the stable loyalty of citizens to the authorities, their constant broad support for the existing system.

Macro functions are instantiated in middle-level functions (media functions):

1. Function socialization aims to include new young generations in the political life.

2. Function recruiting is reduced to the constant reproduction of the mass that actively supports the system. The presence in the country of the required number of officials, policemen, politicians, the activity of voters - all this is the result of recruitment.

3. Function regulation- the policy of regulating prices, taxes, conflicts and much more - all these are forms of the regulatory function.

4. Mobilization function is the collection of financial, material, human resources, providing support for the policy being pursued.

5. Distribution (distribution) function is the distribution of resources, goods, services and statuses based on strategic or tactical considerations.

6. Function response manifests itself in the ability to respond to impulses coming from individual groups, to respond to diverse demands, to suppress contradictions.

The microfunctions of the political system include: identifying and integrating interests, translating them into decisions or answering the question “what to do?”, making decisions, providing support.

All functions are interconnected and seem to complement each other. But in various political systems, it is possible to absolutize some functions to the detriment of others, and hence the deformation of the entire political system.

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Content

• Introduction
• 1. Policy structure
• 2. Policy functions
• Conclusion

Introduction

Politics is an integral part of human existence; it is rooted in the very nature of a person who lives in constant interaction with other people, state institutions, and the state.

The term "politics" comes from 2 Greek words "polis" - city, state, and "politikos" - everything connected with the city, state. This term became widespread under the influence of the treatise of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) on the state, board and government, which he called "Politics".

Aristotle defined politics as follows: “this is the art of government, which was understood as a policy. According to him, politics is a civilized form of community that served the achievement of the "common good" and "happy life".

At the present level, there are different approaches to understanding politics. First of all, it is a well-established idea of ​​politics as the management of society. Quite common is the view of politics as the regulation of relations between various social strata, groups, state entities. There is also an understanding of politics as a sphere of struggle between various social groups and individuals for power.

Traditionally, politics is understood as state and public affairs, the sphere of activity associated with power relations between people, social groups, peoples, nations, states. It includes the functioning of political institutions and organizations, political norms and traditions, power management and organizational activities of people, their socio-political interests and needs, political ideas and views.

Politics is the area of ​​relationships and various types of activities between social communities of people in the implementation of common interests through a variety of means, the main of which is political power. The specificity of politics is as follows: it fixes the relationship between large masses of people, whose interests are integrated into a single, universal whole.

Politics is the sphere of public relations between social groups regarding the use of political power in order to realize their socially significant interests and needs.

The main question of politics is the question of political power, who owns it, who claims it, from whom it passes to whom and in what way.

Thus, the variety of approaches to explaining the meaning of policy makes it difficult to express its clear formulation. The abundance of characteristics of politics is explained by the complexity of politics, the richness of its content, the variety of properties and social functions. Therefore, when defining a policy, such key elements as activity, state and power should be interconnected. The above interpretations of politics do not exhaust the whole variety of its definitions, although they reflect the most important of them.

Summarizing various definitions, politics can be defined as an activity related to relations between social groups and various social forces, the goals of which are the conquest, retention and use of state power; the development of binding decisions for the whole society, carried out with the help of state power. Here, the essential features of politics are highlighted, namely, that politics is a sphere of power relations, serves to satisfy generally significant interests, the implementation of which is impossible outside of public administration.

The purpose of this work: to reveal the structure and functions of politics as a special state-power sphere of public life

The work consists of an introduction, two chapters of the main part, a conclusion and a list of references.

1. Policy structure

In modern scientific literature, various aspects and components of policy are distinguished. The most common is the distinction in politics of its content, form, process, elements and levels.

The main "actors" of politics are its subjects and objects, which act as a source of political activity.

Objects politicians- social problems arising in the process of development of society. The solution of these problems requires an adequate response of the entire system of political institutions, as well as the adoption of effective management decisions.

Subjects politicians are direct participants in political relations. Among them are individuals, social groups, layers, organizations, social movements, directly or indirectly participating in the process of implementing state power, exercising influence on it. As a rule, the subject of politics is structurally organized and represents a social institution (political party, social movement, trade unions, state, mass media, international organizations, such as the UN,

the European Parliament, an initiative group of citizens, etc.), as well as social communities (strata, classes, nations, elites, masses, professional groups) and individuals (political leaders, just ordinary citizens).

Politicians enter into political relations- relations of distribution and use of state power on the basis of political interests, goals, attitudes, value orientations, beliefs, ideals that guide them in their activities. At the same time, political relations between various social forces and institutions can act as independent subjects of political relations. Political relations are regulated by certain norms, rules, values, etc., which are formed in the practice of political life. Correlating them with the real conditions of their own existence, the subjects of politics are aware of the content of their political interests. This is how a system of assessments, meanings and statements is formed, which make up the content political consciousness.

The complex of interrelated phenomena and processes covered by politics as a type of activity includes:

organized activities of social groups and their representative institutions of public administration;

public relations between social groups and communities of people about state power, its conquest, retention and use;

evidence-based theory guiding policy, defining its goals, strategy and tactics;

political ideology, a set of ideological values ​​and norms;

professional political leadership.

Schematically, the structure of the policy is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Policy structure

Political processes- a system of interaction between various political forces, political subjects to solve political problems and influence policy objects. Forms of interaction of political forces: consent; cooperation; political struggle; confrontation (opposition).

The implementation of conscious interests involves interaction with other groups that have different needs, and government institutions. The nature of the interaction between the participants in political life (confrontation between them or consent and tolerance, political struggle or cooperation) depends on the maturity of the political culture of the subjects, the state of society (its prosperity, stability or crisis). Emerging and constantly changing social needs of groups and individuals require timely representation and satisfaction. To do this, there is a system of institutions of power.

Political power- the availability of opportunities for certain political forces to influence society, develop and implement policies based on a balance of interests of social groups.

The concept of "political power" reflects the ability and ability of individuals or groups to exert a decisive influence on society, to exercise their will in managing it, to mobilize large masses of people to achieve their goals, and also to regulate relations between certain social groups. It must adequately respond to politically significant needs, implement them in the form of managerial decisions, i.e. manage social processes and regulate them.

However, the effectiveness of managerial decisions largely depends on the presence of a mature system of representation of interests, including the party system, socio-political organizations and movements, pressure groups, etc., which are able to clearly formulate the real needs of groups and bring them to the authorities in the form of requirements , programs, etc. The state and its organs, the party system, pressure groups, social movements constitute political organization society, designed to express generally significant, group and private interests. Political organization- is a set of state and non-state institutions that express the interests of the individual, group, society. But political participation can be rationally meaningful and be built on the basis of following a system of ideas - political ideologies. All aspects of the political, including the functioning of political institutions, explain political ideas and concepts.

Thus, the factors influencing the formation of policy are very numerous: these are the needs, interests and expectations of social groups and individuals, the moral and legal norms of society, history, traditions, the mentality of society and leaders, their psychology, and finally, the geographical environment, the geographical position of the state , as well as some others.

The following can be singled out as independent elements of politics: the institutions of power and the struggle for it; normative ideas: political and legal norms, programs and electoral platforms of political parties, etc.; c) political consciousness, mentality (way of thinking, mentality of the people), value orientations and attitudes of individuals, political views and theories, traditions of society.

2. Policy functions

The functions of politics are diverse and aimed at maintaining the existence and development of both the actual political system (a subsystem of society) and the entire social system as a whole. Since the most significant interests (general, private, universal, national, etc.) are expressed through politics. People can achieve the realization of their interests and needs, changes in social status. Politics is designed to resolve contradictions that arise on the basis of the struggle of interests, to direct this struggle into a civilized channel. In such cases, the policy itself must be rational (carry out reasonable expedient actions, calculate the possibilities for implementing its decisions and the expected consequences). The policy is designed to ensure continuity and innovation in the development of society and man. Progressive politics acts as a creative and consolidating force, focusing the energy of people on the main directions of social transformations, concentrating the spiritual forces of man and society as a whole. Thus, in modern societies, politics performs the following most significant functions, without which they cannot develop normally:

managerial function - making key decisions on the problems of the development of public spheres (politics, economics, culture, social sphere);

regulatory function - displaying the powerfully significant interests of all groups of the population. Politics acts as a means of providing people with additional opportunities to meet all their needs and change their social status. Politics not only expresses the significant interests and needs of various groups of society, but also ensures their interaction, influences them by making political decisions;

the function of rationalization is the study and rational solution of contradictions that arise in the implementation of the diverse interests of citizens;

the function of social integration is to maintain and strengthen the integrity and stability of society as a complex differentiated social system (coordination of the interests of social groups, regulation of interaction between different spheres of society). Politics performs this function due to the ability to capture the trends of social progress and, in line with these trends, formulate common goals, develop projects for the future, determine social guidelines, seeking the necessary resources for their implementation;

the function of political socialization - forms the political consciousness of the individual, includes the individual in social relations. Politics opens up wide opportunities for the realization of group and individual interests, includes a person in social relations, transferring experience and skills of transformative activity, effective performance of social roles and functions;

the function of mobilizing and ensuring the effectiveness of the overall activity. Politics systematizes social interaction, ensuring their implementation by creating a motivational mechanism, providing the individual with effective opportunities to meet his social needs, change social status with the help of power;

the anti-conflict function is aimed at preventing and resolving social conflicts and contradictions, preventing them or resolving them in a civilized manner;

innovative function - ensuring the renewal of the social development of society and man. (change of elites, regimes, adjustment of legislation, economic policy). By reconciling the interests of social groups and individual citizens, politics is capable of creating new forms of social organization;

humanitarian function - is expressed in the creation of guarantees of the rights and freedoms of the individual, ensuring public order, civil peace and organization.

In addition, there are:

a teleological (goal-forming) function - the development of goals (target programs) for the development of society and its individual areas;

distributive function - mandatory distribution of scarce values ​​and goods for all; redistribution of national wealth through the tax system and state budget;

policy structure function

a stabilization function, focused on ensuring the stable progressive development of society;

a communicative function - the creation and maintenance of communication mechanisms between government institutions and various groups of the population;

the function of manifestation (expression) of significant interests of various social groups through political mechanisms: elections, referendums, lobbies, parliamentary factions, protest actions, etc.

The main functions of the policy are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Main functions of the policy

Thus, there are many policy functions, they are supplemented and refined depending on its type. The diversity of the functions of politics testifies to its deep penetration into society, its spread to very different social phenomena. At the same time, the more numerous the functions of politics in a particular society, the less developed this society is. Society is a system of interaction between different spheres of human life. Ideally, it is internally consistent, balanced. An effective policy ensures the integrity of the social system, stability and public order even when the regimes of government change.

Conclusion

Thus, politics is a field of activity related to the relations between classes, nations and other social groups, the core of which is the problem of gaining, retaining and using state power.

The structure of politics is a complex phenomenon that includes its main elements and depends on the complexity of the structure of the society in which it is implemented. The basic elements of politics are the subjects - individuals, social groups and strata, as well as organizations that take part in political processes (they exercise state power or try to influence it themselves); objects - political relations, which are understood as forms of interaction and interconnection of political subjects (for example, domination and subordination: some segments of the population are subordinate to a group of persons who have been given political power); other elements of politics (power, organization, culture, consciousness), - their quality determines such broad concepts as the political, economic and state system. This also includes political consciousness, which generally covers the presence of ideologies, political motives and the psychology of power.

The significance and role of politics as a social institution is determined by the functions that it performs in society. The number of functions can be different, the main ones are:

ensuring the integrity and stability of society;

mobilization and ensuring the effectiveness of common activities;

managerial and regulatory function;

rationalization function;

political socialization and humanitarian function.

The more numerous the functions of politics in a particular society, the less developed society and the political sphere itself, which crushes other spheres.

Bibliography

1. Butyrina M.V. Political science: Educational and methodical manual / M.V. Butyrin. - Ivanovo: GOU VPO IGEU 2007. - 252 p.

2. Klimova S.V. Political science (Educational and practical guide) / S.V. Klimova - M.: MGUTU, 2012. - 112 p.

3. Kuryanov M.A. Political Science in Questions and Answers: Textbook / M.A. Kuryanov, M.D. Naumov. - Tambov: TSU, 2005. - 80 p.

4. Muntyan M.A. Political science: Definition, subject and object, functions, methods, main stages of formation and development (lecture) / M.A. Muntyan. - M.: Publishing House of MABiU, 2010. - 171 p.

5. Mukhaev R.T. Political science: textbook. / R.T. Mukhaev. - M.: UNITI-DANA, 2007. - 495 p.

6. Pronin E.A. Political science. Lecture notes / E.A. Pronin. - M.: MIEMP, 2012. - 70 p.

7. Political science (in diagrams): textbook. allowance / edited by R.A. Abdullayev. - Volgograd: VolgGTU, 2015. - 68 p.

8. Dictionary of political science / Ed. ed.V.N. Konovalov. - Rostov-on-Don: RGU, 2011. - 285 p.

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In the process of scientific knowledge, various methods are used. The method in translation from Greek means “the path of research, knowledge”, i.e. a form of practical and theoretical exploration of reality, a specific way of acquiring knowledge about politics. The methods of political science developed gradually. Among the numerous and very diverse methods, the use of a combination of which contributes to the transformation of political science into an independent scientific discipline, the following can be distinguished: institutional, sociological, comparative, anthropological, psychological, behavioral, communicative, method of political modeling.

institutional method widely used in political science. It focuses on the study of the institutions through which political activity is carried out (the state, parties, other organizations and associations, etc.). Supporters of this method were Locke, Montesquieu, Jefferson. The study of established institutions is really important, since political institutions, unlike current political processes, are quite stable and stable.

However, the enthusiasm for the institutional approach in the first half of the 20th century led to the prevailing belief that borrowing democratic institutions that had worked well in the West could play a decisive role in the modernization of the countries of “catching up development”. More than 40 African countries literally copied the US Constitution, but in practice they did not come close to the ideals of democracy. It turned out that political institutions themselves are dead without lively political activity.

sociological method- is a set of methods of specific social research aimed at collecting facts and practical materials through questionnaires, surveys, etc. It proceeds from the principle of the dependence of politics on social processes, in particular on the socio-economic structure of society. The task of the sociological method is to reveal and explain the diverse interests of competing social groups in politics. An example is the Marxist approach, where the content of politics is explained by a rigid dependence on the economic basis.

Comparative method- otherwise it is called comparative - has been known since the time of Plato and Aristotle. Its essence consists in comparing political objects or processes, identifying their similarities and distinctive features. The comparative method is of great importance, because can be used not only at the national level, but also at the international level (comparison of similar social phenomena in different countries). In accordance with this, 2 types of comparative studies are distinguished:

BUT) Cross-national- comparison of states with each other, description, binary analysis, etc.;

B) cross-cultural- are aimed at comparison and comparison of national cultures, institutions.

Anthropological method. Another section of policy analysis is opened by the anthropological method, which requires not being limited to determining the influence of social factors (standard of living, form of ownership, etc.) on politics, but involves identifying in politics the role of instincts, stable traits of the intellect, psyche, national character, that is qualities of man as a biosocial being. Explores the influence of the national character, type of mentality, thinking on political behavior and development, thereby defining the boundaries of possible applications of political experience.

psychological method is to study the correlation of psychological characteristics of personality and power. This method is based on the need to take into account the subjective mechanisms of political behavior in politics. The motives that lead people into politics and force them to participate in political processes are always individual, depending on character traits, will, education, etc.

This method is based on the ideas of Aristotle, Seneca, Machiavelli, Hobbes, etc. Within the framework of this method, the ideas of psychoanalysis have become very popular. The merit of the psychoanalytic method lies in taking into account the irrational factors of political activity, which were previously ignored. An effective method of psychoanalysis turned out to be in identifying the nature of authoritarian destructive political behavior, political necrophilia (the desire for destruction).

behavioral method emerged as an alternative to the institutional method. It is based on the thesis that politics has an individual dimension. This method pays special attention to the behavior of a person in the sphere of politics, studying his incentives and reactions in the process of political interactions. Behaviorists focus on the study of political behavior in terms of motivating motives. Behaviorists determine the forms and types of behavior of certain groups (women - housewives, students, etc.) to determine the possible political action in various situations. Thus, the specific motivations of the individual, which prompted him to a certain behavior, act as a unit of analysis of political behavior.

Communicative method develops a cybernetic model of the political process, considering structures as information flows.

Political Modeling Method is based on the study of political phenomena by transposing them into measuring, descriptive, predictive models, etc.

The social role of political science in public life and the education system is realized by its functions. Let's highlight the main ones:

1. Cognitive - political science accumulates knowledge about politics.
2. Predictive - based on the knowledge already gained about politics, which allows you to make predictions, build forecasts of possible future political events, and also calculate the losses of alternative options.
3. Methodological - the conclusions of political science serve as the basis for the analysis of private political theories, individual political phenomena.
4. Worldview - knowledge about politics forms a certain worldview.
5. Cultural - this function allows political science to generalize people's ideas about the means to achieve political goals, to form images, the most desirable states to which one must strive.
6. Educational (regulatory) - in the course of the implementation of this function, the prerequisites and skills needed in society for the participation of citizens in the political process are formed. It is she who creates the theoretical base, generalizes experience, helping political socialization and the formation of political culture.