Consolidation Potential of Civil Society in Ukraine: Synergy of Self-Organization

Abstract

The functioning and development of civil society in Ukraine is studied. In times of statelessness, it was the ability of the Ukrainian people to self-organize and resist that guaranteed the preservation of their identity and the implementation of liberation strategies. Civil society has played a decisive role in the independence of modern Ukraine and is a kind of precautionary mechanism to stabilize crisis situations in its development. The essential reserves for strengthening civil society are the increase of social capital and the strengthening of social responsibility of members of public organizations. In the first case it is a question of optimization of intensity and a communicative network of interaction of citizens, in the second — about responsibility for the maintenance, a direction and the purpose of activity of public organization. Of particular importance is the attention to legality and humanity in the activities of such structures, possible abuses of their status and capabilities, attempts to deepen the lines of demarcation in society and discredit Ukrainian statehood. The intensification of pro-Russian public organizations aimed at promoting the ideas of the «Russian world» and whitewashing the aggressor’s crimes is a matter of concern. The system of relations between civil society and the state, in particular its legal, financial, informational, social and property spheres, also requires further improvement. It is important to build it based on the strategic guidelines and priorities of Ukraine’s development, and not to replace them with situational strategies of behavior and action. Only consolidated, synergistic interaction of state bodies and structures of civil society will enable the formation of a modern civic identity of the population of Ukraine. On this basis, there is a conscious self-determination of citizens of their exclusive affiliation to the Ukrainian state-territorial geopolitical space and a sense of unity with the whole surrounding society. Of particular importance is the improvement of political and legal support for such cooperation in the context of attempts to use public organizations for illegal activities, including support for the aggressor’s policy.