Ndayishimiye T.G. Is democracy possible in the society without democratic traditions?

Abstract: One of the most important conditions, which form the character of political regime and its legitimacy, is the political traditions of the society. It is obvious that traditions of democratic nature encourage the consolidation of democracy. Therefore, this work analyzes the research discussions about the presence or absence of the democratic traditions within the Russian political culture. Predominance of the authoritarian traditions in the political culture of Russia and strive of our government to become democratic, require searching the effective ways on eliminating from the political culture such elements that hinder this process in practice. Using a comparative method the author formulates a list of traditions, which have formed the foundation of the political culture of modern Russia, as well as determines a number of traditions necessary for the formation of democracy, but which are absent in the Russian political practice. The author scientifically substantiates the established deficit of democratic traditions, and proposes rational ways on consolidation of the democratic values and traditions based on the corresponding political practice enriched with democratic elements; he also expresses the caution that in practice we often can see a manifestation of so-called selectiveness (in this case – traditions) in creation and implementation of the artificial elements into a such natural institution as political culture, thus, this process requires succession, continuity, and approbation of all of the democratic traditions which are able to establish a true democracy.

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