AREAS OF PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS’ INFLUENCE ON LEGAL CULTURE AS A BASIS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY FORMATION: THEORETICAL AND LEGAL PREMISES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The experience of social development of modern democratic countries clearly shows that the level of civilizational development in general and that of political, legal and cultural development in particular, depend significantly on the functioning of civil society. Civil society as a socially organized structure, which is formed outside political structures but coordinated with the political organization of society, encourages settlement of public conflicts by legal means, “enables attraction of additional human, organizational, financial and technical resources in order to provide social and other socially significant services, promote decentralization of public administration and its quality improvement, reduce public expenditure and prevent corruption risks” 1 . Amongnumerous subjects of civil society, an essential role is played by public organizations, which, among other things, influence the formation of citizens’ legal culture and encourage them to take an active public and legal stand. In recent years, public organizations have initiated a number of activities aimed at reforming the judiciary, fighting corruption, establishing democracy and protecting human rights. In all public areas and at all levels, state and local, the role of public organizations has increased significantly. Their activities are aimed at reforms in public areas and e-government development, rise in transparency and accountability of public authorities to the Ukrainian society, promotion of European integration, provision of volunteer assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and law enforcement agencies in the anti-terrorist operation, support of internally displaced persons. Therefore, the study of the theoretical and legal premises for the areas of public organizations’ influence on legal culture as a basis of civil society formation is a crucial practical problem that requires a thorough comprehensive study. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that globalization and integration processes, in which Ukraine is involved, intensify and deepen the