Civil Society in the Context of Political Regional Transformation: The Example of Voronezh Oblast

The article discusses the features and problems of the formation and development of civil society at the regional level, and reveals features of the interaction between the structures of regional power and civil society. The authors aim to analyze the formation of civil society in the conditions of political transformation in Voronezh Oblast and related institutional changes in its structure. To identify the features of a regional civil society, the system of relations between the government and civil society, the authors focus on the formation and development of civil practices of real participation of the population in the public sector. In the conditions of Voronezh Oblast, civil society is presented as a specific economic, social and cultural space in which a certain balance of various (individual and group, communication and informal) interests is achieved, and these interests are implemented within the framework of diverse non-political forms of social collective life. This process at the regional level has become a natural continuation of the all-Russian processes. In the region, its institutional prerequisites have been actively developing and still are developing: the legal field, the relationship between society and the authorities are significantly expanding, the conditions for the implementation of political and civil liberties are being improved. The analysis highlights the features of the development of civil society in the region: the necessary legal framework that allows creating conditions for the formation of civil society institutions, involving the population in management and independent resolution of issues of local importance; direct activity of the population; the creation of public chambers both in Voronezh Oblast and in municipal districts as “dialogue platforms” between the authorities and public organizations; creation of territorial public self-government. In conclusion, the authors state that the institutions of civil society in Voronezh Oblast are practically formed, showing a high adaptive potential and mobilization resource. The prospect of development of a regional civil society is at the root of the population based on national identity and cultural diversity, on a system of human resources and spiritual achievements of society, taking into account all regional characteristics.

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