MAIN MODERN CONCEPTS OF CIVIL SOCIETY: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The study of the concept of civil society, determination of its essence, meaning, functions, possibilities of influence on the development of political and economic systems is gaining relevance. Discussions regarding the interpretation of the essence of civil society, its development and future continue among scientists, state-makers and public figures. To date, it is difficult to say when the term «civil society» was first used in its modern sense. Some scientists claim that the beginning of the formation of civil society in its modern sense in the countries of Europe and America dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. However, ancient society was not civil in the modern sense. The most famous classification of the development of civil society is the periodization of J. Alexander, who distinguishes three stages, conventionally called «civil society -I, -II and -III». The article describes the features of «civil society -I, -II and -III and their impact on socio-economic relations. N. Rosenblum's models are quite well-known for the classification of civil society. In the scientific world, they are used to studying public life in individual countries, as well as a tool for analyzing national differences in the formation and development of civil society. The article characterizes the «democratic», «mediational» and «electoral civil society» models. Four main stages of Ukrainian state formation and, accordingly, periods of institutionalization of civil society, which are distinguished in the scientific literature, are analyzed. Since 2014, civil society has faced new challenges due to Russia's war against Ukraine. However, the year 2022 brought for the Ukrainian society contextual changes of activities that preceded the border of life. It is believed that in times of military conflicts, the idea of civil society is subjected to special tests. The question «are democratic ideas, values and structures degraded or are they a special resource in wartime?» Causes controversial discussions. Today, it is extremely important for Ukraine, as well as for other countries of the world, which in the recent past were arenas of so-called frozen military conflicts. Therefore, the general theoretical concept of civil society still has not lost its relevance and importance. Obviously, in view of the modern challenges of the time and the world, the issues of the development of ideas and practices, the structure and forms of civil society, the essence and influence of civil society on the restoration of the country require further research.