Power as an Object of Legal Research: A Problem Aspect

The article is devoted to power as an object of legal research. The problem of power in this capacity is seen, first of all, in the fact that it, being actually the object of such research, is not recognized by the official doctrine in this status and there is no separate branch of science about it. At the same time, there is a lack of legal knowledge about power, which negatively affects the methodology of legal research and the quality of the doctrinal reflection of the objective reality. It is proved that power is a fundamental object of legal knowledge similar to the law, which is studied by jurisprudence and recognized as its object. Equivalence of law and power in the indicated sense follows from the fact that each of these factors equally serves as the basis of the reality studied by legal science. It is substantiated that the named reality is formed by the integrity of the functioning of law and power. Such integrity serves as a source of legal order and is considered as a legal continuum of freedom. It is noted that the relationship of law and power are objective. They manifest the universal principle of unity and struggle of opposites and ensure the transition of activity from its state of potentiality to the state of actuality by the integrity of their functioning. Neither the law nor the authorities are able to streamline the connections of the subjects of social interaction alone. Methodologically, the analyzed characteristics of law and power make it necessary to take into account the equivalence of these phenomena in the formation and functioning of legal reality. Such an approach is justified methodologically; it corresponds to the objects of study and their interconnectedness. It is also confirmed by the experience of scientific research. Power, despite the fact that it is not officially recognized as an object of legal research, is actually investigated both in state studies and in jurisprudence. Many candidate and doctoral dissertations, monographs and scientific papers are devoted to power and especially to the political power, its branches, functions, bodies. In science, the formation of a system of legal knowledge of power is underway. Legal cratology is formed at the border of general cratology, jurisprudence and political science as a branch of knowledge about power in its opposition and connection with law. Together with legal cratology, its theoretical foundations are being developed and, first of all, the legal theory of power. The author makes a conclusion about the need for an official recognition of power as an object of legal research equivalent to the law. This will activate the study of power and will contribute to the formation of a doctrinal system of legal knowledge about it.

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