ІНСТИТУТИ ГРОМАДЯНСЬКОГО СУСПІЛЬСТВА В УКРАЇНІ ДО ЗДОБУТТЯ НЕЗАЛЕЖНОСТІ

Abstract

The features and factors that influenced the formation of civil society in Ukraine up to Independence and became the foundation of the national tradition of community life are examined in the article. In particular, the author considers development of public associations in the Ukrainian lands which were the part of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires. Development of the first institutions of civil society in these lands was influenced by both external (common European ideas of the Enlightenment, regulation imperial states) and internal factors (the desire Ukrainian national self-determination, development of science and professions, attempts of certain groups join forces for a common cause). However, in the XVIII – XIX century social movement failed to reach broad strata of Ukrainian society. Soviet authorities managed to involve in public activities majority of the population of Soviet Ukraine. Intensive development of public associations took place in 1920-1930's. However, these public associations completely were depended on the state like the part of the communist system. Most people were involved in public activities with coercion. At the same time there were some illegal public associations which fought for independence of Ukraine, democratic reforms, respect for workers' rights. The author comes to the conclusion that the major factors and features of the formation of public associations in Ukraine during several centuries have been associated with the national issue and low level of public activity. The attitude of the state was particularly important factor that influenced the creation and activities of public associations. Therefore continental European model of civil society with bureaucratic control and centralization of public sector have been formed in Ukraine.