Abstract: This article analyzes the questions associated with citizens’ participation in the work of civil society institutions. The author turns attention to the various models on relationship between civil society and the state, elements of solidarization of citizens that conduce the formation of civil society. The work scrutinizes the program and legal measures of the Russian State aimed at formation and strengthening of the civil society institutions. Characteristics of the organization structures of civil society alongside the level of their attractiveness for the citizens are presented in combination with the assessment of the results of practical activity of the separate structures of civil society. In conclusion, the author gives attention to the relevant issue of legal regulation and prospects for development of the informal manifestations of civil society. The author suggests the original legal approaches towards resolving the problems of debureaucratization of civil society, as well as development of promising and desirable directions in Russia, which include volunteering, charity, and socially oriented nonprofit organizations.

Abstract: On the state and trends of development of civil society in Russia
This article analyzed the questions associated with citizens’ participation in the work of civil society institutions. The author turns attention to the level of citizens’ demand for different types of social institutions, as well as motivation for participation in them. Particular attention is given to the prospects of development of various models of civil society in Russia alongside the problems of formation of middle class, which is called to become a backbone of civil society. Statistical data on the state of civil society in Russia testify to the loss of influence upon the citizens of formalized structures of civil society. Such trend is further aggravated by government imposition of the so-called pseudo-structures of civil society, which introduce the typical bureaucratic flaws of state apparatus. Lack of control and irresponsibility cause the additional problems in civil society. The author suggests the original legal approaches towards resolution of the problems of debureaucratization of civil society, advancement of the promising and relevant directions of its development in Russia, which consists in volunteering, charity, and work of the nonprofit socially oriented organizations. Separate proposition and assessment of the author pertain to the role of the informal manifestations of civil society.

Abstract: This article analyzes the issues pertaining to participation of citizens in the work of the civil institution. Attention is given to the level of demand for various social formations among citizens, as well as motivation of people’s participation in them. A special attention is allocated to the prospects of development of various models of civil society in Russia and issues of formation of middle class, called to become the social foundation of the civil society. The statistical data on the state of the civil society in Russia testifies to the loss of influence of the formalized structures of civil society upon the citizens. This trend is further aggravated by the state’s imposition of the so-called pseudo structures of civil society, which introduce typical bureaucratic flaws of the state apparatus. There are additional independent problems in form of uncontrollability and irresponsibility that also arise. The author proposes original legal approaches towards solution of the issues of debureaucratization of the civil society and development of promising and demanded vectors of its development in Russia, which include volunteering, philanthropy, and work of socially-oriented nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Author’s separate proposals and assessments pertain to the role and importance of the informal manifestations of civil society.

Abstract: The article analyzes the legal basis for the relations between the state and civil society. The basic elements for the evaluation of these relations are constitution and de facto political regime in a state. The object of evaluation includes novelties of the Russian legislation in various spheres of civil society.  Much attention is paid to the controlling functions of the civil society. There is a gradual redistribution of competences previously belonging to the state bodies in favor of civil society institutions.  In the process of interaction between the state and civil society there appear structures necessary for a civilized dialogue, such as the Social Chamber of the Russian Federation, apear. The author evaluates the role of civil society in the reform of the judicial system, including the issues regarding the level of trust of the people in the judicial branch of power, its openness and accessibility for the people.  The legislative measures aimed towards strengthening of the state support for the political parties should include the provisions granting the citizens, who are not members of any political parties, freedom of choice when forming representative election bodies.  The article also concerns a number of other topical problems regarding interaction between civil society and state. The author formulates propositions for the guarantees of the optimum balance in the relations between state and civil society in order for the civil society to develop freely and efficiently.