Topic 24. Political consciousness

1. The essence of political consciousness

1.1. Concept and content

In the political sphere, the nature of the functioning of the institutions of power, the forms of behavior of various subjects and all other manifestations of human activity are directly dependent and formed on the basis of his ideas, views, feelings and other spiritual phenomena. The most general category, reflecting the entire set of sensory and theoretical, value and normative, rational and subconscious ideas of a person that mediate his relationship with political structures, is “political consciousness”. That is, the political consciousness reflects all those ideals, norms and other views of a person, which he is guided by and which he uses to adapt to the mechanisms of power and perform his functions in politics.

Thus, in its content, political consciousness reflects all non-institutional components of the political sphere of public life. Thus, it shows that changes in the activities of the authorities and administration, the establishment of inter-party relations and other political processes are in one way or another conditioned by the subjective positions of the elite and non-elite strata. The variety of mobile and changeable human views forms multidirectional political processes, that stereo-logic of political interactions, which represents the multi-shaped flow of human life in the public sphere. This genetic dependence of politics on political consciousness turns it into a continuous process of objectifying ideas and perceptions (the embodiment of certain views and perceptions in human actions, the functions of institutions) and their de-objectification (reflection of political phenomena in certain assessments, doctrines, views) ...

Political consciousness is defined as a set of mental phenomena in which the perception of politics by an individual subject of the political process is expressed. It should be noted that political consciousness, along with values, attitudes, etc., includes the psychological mechanism of their development, the search for their own position.

Political consciousness is closely related to political behavior, it is preparatory stage, fills political behavior with meaning, and also makes possible political interaction between the subjects of the political process. Political consciousness can be characterized as “internal” political behavior that affects the “external” behavior of a person, that is, his activity and activity.

What does political consciousness include? Usually, analyzing political consciousness, there are two main groups of the constituent parts of this phenomenon: cognitive and motivational. Cognitive includes knowledge about politics, interest in political phenomena and beliefs. Motivational - needs, values, feelings and attitudes. In fact, it is quite difficult to single out one or another element of political consciousness in its pure form and unambiguously attribute it to the cognitive or motivational block. All these elements are closely intertwined with each other and have a mutual influence on each other.

1.2. Approaches to Considering Political Consciousness

In science at the present time there are two points of view on the essence of political consciousness. So, supporters of the behavioral approach consider political consciousness as a form of rational thinking of a person, the whole set of his views and ideas, which he uses in the implementation of his roles and functions in the sphere of power. In other words, from this point of view, political consciousness appears as an expanded and, as it were, imposed on politics, the thinking of a person. With this approach, there are no special requirements for the development of a person's positions, assessments of political events. Consequently, the problem of the formation of political consciousness is also removed.

The second, axiological, approach refers to political consciousness as a certain level of social thinking. From this point of view, it also includes various everyday, universal views and values ​​of a person, but the essence of the political consciousness of people is determined by his ability and ability to isolate their group interests, compare them with other group needs, as well as see the ways and ways of using the state to solve tasks for their implementation. Thus, political consciousness is understood as that level of ideas, to which a person can rise to optimize his political participation and performing the necessary functions in the sphere of power.

Within the framework of this approach, it becomes possible to distinguish, relying on those ideas that a person uses in the sphere of power, two types of forms of consciousness - political and pre-political (potestary, from lat. potestas - power), focusing on various principles and criteria for reflecting reality. Political forms consciousness implies the ability of a person to isolate the dynamics of intergroup struggle for power in social life, the ability to develop an assessment of political relations taking into account the goals of rivals, the means and the degree of their achievement in the framework of the short-term or long-term development prospects, the skills of predicting the conditions of loss (gain) and others parameters of this interaction. Such views, supplemented by ethical judgments, allow people to realize the limitations of political methods of struggle, to refer themselves to supporters of left or right political movements.

In contrast to this, pre-political forms of consciousness are based on exclusively moralistic criteria for assessing political changes, which capture only external social relationships and therefore interpret all interests within the framework of emotional and moral preferences: bad / good, fair / unfair. Due to this perception of political reality, idealization is constantly developing on this basis. political life, painful ethnophobia, aggressiveness, apathy, rebellion are born.

1.3. Functions and ways of formation

Political consciousness as a non-institutional element of politics performs three major functions:

cognitive (i.e., the function of reflecting the needs of society in the constant updating of knowledge for the implementation and modification of the functions of political subjects); communicative (i.e., the function of ensuring the conscious interaction of subjects with each other and with the institutions of power); ideological (i.e., the function of awareness of the subjects' interest in acquiring and popularizing their own vision of the political world).

The degree of completeness and the nature of the implementation of these functions can vary significantly depending on the nature of political processes. For example, in transition processes, when various subjects with their own vision of political changes and politicians of the future, looking for the logic of their imperious behavior, are actively involved in political life, then, as a rule, it weakens communicative function political consciousness, but at the same time its ideological function is activated.

Political consciousness, being woven into various types of activity, is internally structured, dividing into various elements and formations. At present, the entire set of spiritual entities serving political activity is mainly investigated within the framework of three fundamental structures:

epistemological (cognitive), revealing the differences between the elements of political consciousness from the point of view of the reliability of their reflection of reality. In other words, the epistemological structure of consciousness presupposes that all the views of the subjects are considered as knowledge, with varying degrees of completeness reflecting various aspects of the world of politics. In this aspect, the following issues are considered: the relationship between political truth and lies, the delusion of political intelligence and the power of its penetration into the secrets of the political world, the relationship between mythological, utopian and scientific types of reflection, etc .;

axiological, reflecting the spiritual phenomena of the political sphere from the point of view of their acceptability or unacceptability for a cognizing subject. In other words, in this structure, political views are interpreted as a variety of judgments and assessments that embody certain value priorities of the subject cognizing politics. Therefore, the same institutions, norms, processes and other phenomena by one subject (for example, a representative of a democratic worldview) can be assessed positively, and by another (professing different ideals and principles) negatively. The aggregate of differing assessments will fill the entire volume of political consciousness;

sociological (functional), which characterizes all elements of political consciousness in terms of their place, as well as the role they play in the process of realizing spiritual phenomena in practice. On the one hand, within the framework of this structure, various forms of individual, group or mass consciousness are described, and on the other, the components of the process of moving the content of a person's thinking into the sphere of practice, namely: ideals, principles, norms, attitudes, motives, etc. .d. Political ideology and political psychology are considered as the most generalized elements of political consciousness in this sense, each of which plays an important, extremely complex specific role in political life.

Formation paths political consciousness are complex and contradictory. It would be a great simplification to consider, as the Marxists believed, that it was brought into the masses by the ideological representatives of the party and class. In reality, the formation of political consciousness is carried out in a complex process of critical understanding by people of social reality, generalization and gradual rationalization of sensory ideas; awareness of the goals of a party or other political movement, adherence to the already formed assessments and norms of the political process; emotional initiation into faith in the justice of certain political ideals. Naturally, none of the named paths guarantees the formation of political views. This is only a prerequisite for the emergence of the ability to carry out power-group identification. Only practice can give an answer whether a person has raised his views to the level of political consciousness.

The political consciousness is open for the perception of different experiences, for the constant refinement of assessments of the past and the present, for the re-interpretation of various political phenomena. However, political consciousness cannot be developed exclusively through the "book" way, without a person entering into real political relations. Political thinking is not a logical, not speculative form of thinking. Its development depends not so much on the growth of specialized knowledge as on the variety of forms of political participation of citizens in real processes of political competition. Therefore, the narrowing of opportunities for citizens to participate in the exercise of power deadens political consciousness and at the same time contributes to the degradation of the mechanisms of power.

2. The structure of political consciousness

2.1. Characteristics of mass, group and individual political consciousness

From the point of view of the subject, mass, group and individual political consciousness is distinguished in world political science.

In the first dimension, political consciousness is defined as the mass consciousness of society on issues that have an actual political content and are fraught with certain political implications... In this sense, political consciousness is a special, politicized segment of the mass consciousness. Structurally, mass political consciousness includes static (such as values ​​and "general orientations") and dynamic (such as mass sentiments) components. In concrete terms, this is, first, the level of people's expectations and their assessment of their ability to influence the political system in order to realize existing expectations; secondly, socio-political values ​​underlying ideological choice (for example, justice, democracy, equality, stability, order, etc.); thirdly, rapidly changing opinions and sentiments associated with assessments of the current situation, government, leaders, specific political actions, etc. Mass political consciousness determines the type and level of political culture of a society and determines the most typical, mass variants of political behavior. The most common way to identify mass political consciousness is through opinion polls on political issues.

In the second dimension, political consciousness is viewed as a generalized consciousness of specific - large (social classes, national-ethnic formations, groups and strata of the population) and small (for example, the political elite, "government military junta", the political bureau of the ruling party, various lobbying formations such as pressure groups etc.) of groups related to the policy. Based on the objective place of the group in the socio-political system and the characteristics of group self-awareness, such political consciousness is interpreted as a set of ideas that determine the content, direction and intensity of the group's political activity. Structurally, special attention is paid to the political positions and ideological preferences that dominate the group political consciousness. The most common way to identify such political consciousness is to analyze documents of a political nature emanating from the groups of interest.

In the third dimension, political consciousness is interpreted as a property and quality of an individual, a "political person" capable of perceiving politics in one way or another, assessing it more or less accurately and acting relatively purposefully in the political plane. Here, subjective psychological characteristics, typical characteristics and structural components of human consciousness and behavior in politics as a special field of activity, as well as the study of the processes of political socialization of the individual, the methods used by the individual to master mass and different group political consciousness, as well as to develop his own political consciousness at the individual level. Analysis of the mechanisms governing the functioning of political consciousness at this level allows us to distinguish two blocks of components in it: motivational (political needs, values, attitudes, feelings and emotions) and cognitive (knowledge, awareness, interest in politics, beliefs). The most common way to identify such political consciousness is personal psychological research, as well as the identification of socio-political personality types in relation to political consciousness.

2.2. Characteristics of everyday and scientific-theoretical political consciousness

An important functional direction in the study of political consciousness is the study of its everyday and theoretical-ideologized forms. Ordinary political consciousness is distinguished by a number of specific properties: meaningful diffuseness, fuzziness, "confusion", confusion and contradiction, fragmentary, unsystematic, increased emotionality, in many respects the randomness of its components, spontaneity of formation and development under the influence of everyday ideas and judgments about politics within the framework of called everyday common sense. At the same time, it is characterized by stability and a special kind of inertia of influence on political behavior: even when it comes into conflict with the parameters of theoretical-ideologized political consciousness, ordinary political consciousness can continue to determine such behavior.

In contrast to him, the theoretically-ideologized political consciousness proceeds from strict and harmonious ideas, which constitute an integral rational system of views and judgments, a certain worldview that explains surrounding a person political reality based on one or another ideological concept and boiling down to an expanded interpretation of ideology on the spheres of life to be understood. Consciousness in the form of ideology, science, propaganda and agitation makes it possible to establish cause-and-effect relationships between various social and political phenomena, to explain and understand political reality, to orient oneself in political life.

The main bearer of this consciousness is the political elite. Through various institutions, such as communication, initiation, mystery, religion, tradition and tradition, education, education, mass media, agitation and propaganda, art, etc., this knowledge is projected onto the population in various ways and with different purposes... This can be the rallying of the population for the realization of a universally significant goal, and "brainwashing" for the realization of the goals of the adventurous politics of the temporary workers in power. On the basis of this, mass consciousness is formed, which also includes knowledge at the level of common sense as an understanding of individual or collective experience.

The dialectics of the transition of certain components of political consciousness from one form to another is an essential indicator of socio-political development.

2.3. Political ideology and political psychology

The most influential forms of political consciousness are political ideology (see topic 25 for details) and political psychology.

Political psychology is often more significant for politics than other forms of political consciousness. It is a combination of predominantly emotional sensations and perceptions.people about political phenomena that develop in the process of their (people) political behavior and direct interaction with institutions.

The recognition of such spiritual education orients scientific research towards the transition from considering a person as a bearer of certain political functions, statuses, rights and doctrines to the analysis of his specific feelings and psychological mechanisms that govern the behavior of individuals, groups and mass communities. In this regard, not the properties of an abstract "political person" are taken into account, but the specific abilities of individual or group subjects for interpersonal (intergroup) communication and cohesion, the peculiarities of their perception of political phenomena, the intensity of expectations, the peculiarities of temperament (sociability, sensitivity, anxiety of consciousness), mechanisms attracting attention and suggestion, imitation and infection, the structure of preferences (sociometric structure) and other mental reactions.

Many scientists spoke about the fundamental importance of political feelings and emotions in politics. For example, Aristotle, assuming politics as a form of communication between the state and the citizen, wrote that the rulers "... need to know the moods of those who raise uprisings ... how the political turmoil and strife actually begins"; Descartes wrote about six feelings that move a person in peace and power; Machiavelli, who argued that "to rule is to make people believe", specifically pointed out that differences in mood are the main reason for "all the troubles occurring in the state." Many scientists were convinced of the existence of the "soul of the people" (W. Wund, G. Le Bon), described "mental epidemics" (for example, during revolutions), attacks of popular lynching, intoxication of people with freedom or a thirst for revenge, mass psychosis, etc. ...

Political psychology characterizes in general terms such (from individual to mass) affects. At the same time, it includes both universal feelings and emotions of a person, specifically manifested in political life (for example, anger, love, hatred, etc.), and those feelings that are found only in political life (feelings of sympathy and antipathy towards certain ideologies or leaders, feelings of subservience to the state, etc.). However, the different role of these feelings and emotions predetermines the twofold significance of psychology in political life.

On the one hand, it acts as a spiritual phenomenon that mediates all varieties of political thinking and human behavior, gives form to all subjective manifestations of his mental and practical activity. In this respect, political psychology is that internal mechanism for transforming human ideas, which is organically intertwined with the political process, but at the same time may not play any independent role in human behavior.

The inevitability of universal mental methods of interaction and communication between people from political activity turns psychology into a kind of universal measure of all politics as a whole. In other words, the authorities, the state, parties, various political actions of the subjects, as well as other political phenomena are presented as some form of psychological interaction between people. In this regard, a whole trend has developed in political science, whose representatives make the role of psychological factors absolute. They unambiguously reduce all the reasons for the emergence of revolutions and tyrannies, democratization or reform of the state and society to psychological foundations political behavior of people. Even mass political processes are explained by the psychological qualities of an individual or a small group (E. Fromm, G. Allport, E. Bogarus, etc.). In this case, "a political person" is understood as a product of personal psychological motives transferred to the public sphere (G. Lasswell). The very same politics is practiced as "a psychological phenomenon in the first place, and then ideological, economic, military, etc.".

On the other hand, political psychology is a genetically primary, emotional-evaluative reaction of political consciousness and that specific spiritual factor that independently influences the development of motives and political behavior of a person, while differing from the influence, for example, of his rational or value motives. As J. Huizinga wrote, "direct manifestations of passion", creating sudden effects, are capable of "intruding into political life on such a scale that benefit and calculation ... are pushed aside." It is well known that calmness of feelings, emotional addiction of people to the situation in the state is the main factor in the stability of regimes. It is no coincidence, as a number of Russian scientists note, “the authorities are not interested in the opinions of society ... but in the mood”, which “can cover millions. ... The mood that has gripped the masses is enough for everything to change. "

3. Components of political consciousness

3.1. Political values ​​and attitudes

One of the important components of political consciousness is political values. Compared with other components, in particular with political attitudes, values, as a rule, are considered as more fundamental mental formations, as abstract ideals not associated with a specific object or situation, as a kind of human representation of an ideal -al patterns of behavior and ideal end goals. Thus, values ​​are an assessment of an ideal object in terms of "good", "bad", an idea of ​​what is desirable and necessary.

Values ​​are a characteristic of individual consciousness that has a pronounced social nature. In other words, we can say that political values ​​are assimilated, adapted by the individual (under the influence of personal interest, situation, etc.) social group ideas. These ideas are assimilated by the individual in the process of socialization and form specific political attitudes.

What is the difference between political values ​​and political attitudes? Values ​​are a person's idea of ​​an ideal object or a number of objects (for example, about a political party in general or about freedom of speech), while attitudes characterize the attitude of people mainly towards specific objects (this division is, of course, conditional). In addition, values ​​have a significant impact on the formation of specific political attitudes, therefore they can be considered as one of the elements of attitudes.

The key role in the relationship between "internal" and "external" human behavior is played by the political attitude: it precedes the action, being its the initial stage, let's set up for action.

What is a political attitude? With regard to the level of the political, attitudes should be understood as a person's attitude to certain political objects (institutions of the political system, leaders, etc.), his subjective willingness to behave in a certain way in relation to these objects.

At the same time, it is important to note that the social context has a significant impact on the formation of a political attitude: political attitudes are an expression of deep socially conditioned motivational needs, such as the feeling of being included in the structure of social ties, closeness to the social environment, safety, self-knowledge and self-affirmation, etc.

An important function of the attitude, in addition to transforming needs and motives into actions, is also an evaluative-orientational function: it provides a person with the ability to respond to a situation and external objects (for example, to a situation of an unmet need and objects that contribute or hinder its satisfaction ) based on past experience. The installation sets in motion mental processes and practical actions that are adequate to situations and objects, because it contains the previous situation finished model these processes and actions. Another essential function of attitudes is their ability not only to objectify needs that have arisen in the unconscious depths of the psyche, but also to practically act as relatively independent needs and motives.

Installations are heterogeneous in origin and objects. In political science and other social sciences, there are different points of view regarding their structure and typology. One of the widespread approaches to typology is based on such a criterion as the nature of the elements underlying a particular setting. In the structure of the installation, as a rule, three elements are distinguished:

1) cognitive (associated with knowledge about political objects or phenomena and their normative assessment);

2) affective (associated with the feelings experienced by the individual species in relation to the object);

3) behavioral (the tendency to certain behavior in relation to the object).

The upper level of the system of attitudes forms a system of political and other values ​​related to political phenomena, which characterizes the direction in the perception of a person of certain political phenomena. The middle level is the level of attitudes that characterize the attitude of citizens to the institutions of the political system and political leaders and groups, as well as an assessment of their place and role in relations with the political system (orientation toward the political system and “their” relationships with it). The third level is behavioral attitudes (preparedness for action) in relation to specific political objects in specific conditions.

3.2. Political identity

The concept of "political consciousness" is closely related to the concept of "political identity", which is one of the products of political consciousness. At the same time, political identity is also a product of objective factors, such as, for example, the structure of the political space and its dynamics.

Political identity itself can have a significant impact on the specifics of political consciousness. Therefore, under certain conditions and with certain reservations, it can be considered as a component of political consciousness.

Political identity plays an essential role in the formation of the "external behavior" of an individual: with the help of political identity, an individual or a group becomes the subject of political relations and the political process.

Political identity should be understood as the identification of the subject of the political process with a certain political position, recognized by other subjects of political relations.

Identity is formed under the influence of three types of phenomena: the psycho-logical activity of the subjects, the system of values ​​and stereotypes that are internalized by the subjects, and the specifics of the political position (its functional features, as well as the "meaning" attached to it by the participants in the political process).

Political identity, like social identity, has a group nature. It manifests itself in a sense of belonging to a group (for example, a party, ideological trend, etc.) and / or as a group's identification with a political position and recognition of this by other subjects of the political process (for example, the struggle of parties for the opportunity to form a government and pursue a certain political course, as well as its subsequent behavior as a ruling party in order to prove its compliance with this position). Political identity and identification are also closely related to legitimacy and legitimation, because identity and identification presupposes recognition of the legitimacy of taking a particular position on the part of other subjects of political relations.

Researchers highlight Various types political identity.

By the object of identification with a certain group, one can single out the identity of a member of a group of interests, a party, an ideological trend, a resident of a city or region, a citizen of a state, etc. It should be noted that, as a rule, people have mixed identification. Thus, a resident of Petrozavodsk can feel like a communist and a resident of the city at the same time. He may feel that he belongs to the Republic of Karelia as a state entity within the Russian Federation and to Russia as a whole. In countries where the state does not possess all the features of the modern, where the process of forming national-state identity has not yet ended, where there are strong regional, social, cultural contradictions and special traditions, political identity associated with a sense of belonging to a social group, region, local settlement, etc.

A rather important issue is the problem of identifying citizens with certain ideological and political trends, representatives of certain ideological trends. The most commonly used to characterize such identification is the "left-right" scale. This axis is traditionally used to describe the structure of the political space: positions of various political forces, political preferences of voters, etc.

The division into left and right has a fairly long history since the time of the Great French bourgeois revolution, these words were used to characterize the ideological position of political forces. The left was usually called those who advocated social change, equality and social justice, the right - those who were a supporter status quo , spoke out in support of the values ​​of individualism, private property, against social equality.

At the same time, in each individual country, the meaning invested in these concepts is somewhat different. These differences are due to historical traditions, for example, the form and content of the main political split. In addition, the semantic content of these concepts was imprinted by the peculiarities of social conflicts and socio-political problems at certain stages of development.

3.3. Political myths

Addressing myths in politics at certain periods historical development typical for all states. It is associated with special socio-political and economic conditions that do not allow solving complex problems at the expense of real means and forcing politicians with the help of myths to influence the mass consciousness of people and thereby distract them, at least for a while, from the overdue and difficult to resolve contradictions.

An attempt in theory to present myths as something archaic, which has lost its meaning in modern conditions, has not justified itself in practice. Reality proves that some myths disappear, others appear.

Replacing some myths with others is a natural phenomenon for periods of revolutions and reformation. It is explained by the fact that political goals change radically and require the provision of faith in one or another idea, as well as the support of the corresponding political actions on the part of the people.

The further the society advances in its development, the more sophisticated and attractive myths become, the more difficult they are amenable to recognition. Myths are becoming more and more relevant and specific, meeting the needs of the time. Myths about "wise government policy", "about possible changes toto the best ”, etc. are used as a strong argument for the legitimization of power.

Researchers have shown interest in myths for a long time. E. Cassirer, Z. Freud, A. Rosenberg, J. Sorel, P. Sorokin, A. Camus and others were engaged in the study of this problem. However, the subject of their study were myths related to the sphere of culture. Of course, many of their arguments are quite applicable to political myths, since both of them have common nature and similar properties: uncritical, emotionally colored perception of the world, the combination of reality and fiction, the acceptance of a myth on faith without preliminary verification and analysis of its content.

However, political myths are a completely different phenomenon and they cannot be regarded as an integral part of human nature, the expulsion of which from people's lives would impoverish their existence.

The following specific features are characteristic of political myths:

- they do not appear spontaneously, but are created artificially, consciously and purposefully;

- they are based on collective aspirations and hopes, realized and cultivated by politicians, assimilated by the mass consciousness;

- they combine two heterogeneous qualities: sober calculation and fanatical faith, which allow politicians to free themselves from all moral barriers;

- they do not lend themselves to destruction with the help of rational arguments and therefore it is quite legitimate to evaluate them as unscientific knowledge. Political myths are half-truths at best;

- they are characterized by a direct connection with political reality, they are called upon to justify one course of events or another, to ensure the absolute confidence of people in the correctness of the political actions carried out;

- political myths appear much later than artistic myths, which is due to the creation political structures and social differentiation.

A certain contradiction is inherent in political myths,

On the one hand, they have a special stability based on: the interdependence of myth and mass consciousness: myth is created and supported by mass consciousness, mass consciousness is based on myth; the vitality of the elements of the original consciousness, which has a significant impact on the nature of the perception of the myth and behavior (despite the intellectual and cultural evolution); people's interest in politics and the inability to discover its mythological nature; awareness of the ability to find the meaning of your own life with the help of myth. With the stability of political systems, there are stable (main) myths that prescribe people a certain system of values ​​and ways of behavior (for example, in the United States, such myths are the myth of American democracy and free enterprise).

On the other hand, political myths are highly dynamic. They can disappear and be reproduced again depending on the respective needs.

What brings political myths to life in our time?

First, a necessary prerequisite for the production and reproduction of myths is the presence of a collective mass consciousness, it is through it that collective desires are assimilated, which become the foundation for the creation of a political myth.

Secondly, for the appearance of myths, an appropriate psychological state of society is necessary, the presence of a tense situation when one can easily believe in persecuted enemies and a catastrophe, and when one wants to believe in it.

It is no coincidence that most researchers have come to the conclusion that there is a certain pattern - political myths are most easily adopted in countries where there are crisis situations, and people do not have a sufficient level of political culture. In such conditions, any myths are assimilated, including contradictory, ridiculous and utopian ones.

However, the presence of this pattern does not exclude the assertion of political myths in countries with a prosperous socio-political situation, where the desires and hopes of people act as a prerequisite as a collective unconscious in need of an appropriate design (including a myth).

4. Political mentality

4.1. Definition and essence

Mentality is a collection of images and ideas that guides a person or a group of people. The mentality lies between two forms of knowledge: rational and religious, interacting with both the first and the second.

At one time, the concept of "mentality" was introduced into social science by representatives of the historical-psychological and cultural-anthropological trends L. Levy-Bruhl, L. Fevre, M. Blok and some others. In the initial context, mentality meant that representatives of a society, interpreted primarily as a national-ethnic and socio-cultural community of people, had a certain common "mental toolkit", a kind of "psychological equipment" that enables them to perceive in their own way. and be aware of your natural and social environment as well as ourselves. Over time, the concept of "mentality" began to be used to describe in a generalized form the properties and characteristics of the organization of social and political psychology of people, in particular, political consciousness and self-awareness.

Researchers emphasize the question of the relationship between mentality and mentality. The essence of this ratio is as follows: in contrast to mentality, mentality is understood as a partial, aspectual manifestation of mentality not so much in the subject's mindset, but in his activities related to or arising from mentality. Therefore, in ordinary life, one has to deal with mentality more often than with mentality, although the latter is more important for theoretical analysis.

There are various interpretations of the political mentality: these are ideas and beliefs inherent in a particular social community; it is also a set of attitudes that presuppose an active perception of the surrounding reality both at the level of a separate social community and its subjects; it is also a special kind of construct of the “collective unconscious”. The concept of "political mentality" is close to such concepts as "picture of the political world" and "political consciousness". The "picture of the political world" includes both theoretical knowledge and knowledge arising from everyday experience, as well as the value orientations of political subjects. Political consciousness is not only scientific theoretical knowledge, but also ideas that have arisen in the course of comprehending everyday life.

The political mentality is associated with experience, everyday life and includes: 1) ideas about political reality; 2) value political orientations, which are both conscious and unconscious; 3) political attitudes, spontaneous dispositions to react in a special way to the political situation.

In a generalized form, mentality can be considered as a socio-political category, which is a reflection of the socio-psychological state of a subject (ethnos, social group, person), which is formed as a result of a historically long and fairly stable impact of natural geographic, ethnic, socio-economic and cultural living conditions of the specified subject and manifests itself in various fields of activity. Taking shape, forming, developing historically and genetically, the mentality is a hard-to-change, stable set of socio-psychological and spiritual-moral qualities and traits taken in their organic integrity, determining all aspects of the life of a given community and its constituent individuals.

4.2. Formation features

Although the mentality is the most stable and stable part of the spiritual culture of a person (stratum, class, society, people), it, while retaining in its traditional form universal ethical and moral norms and requirements, nevertheless, is constantly changing under the influence of changes in social life ... And these changes are the more noticeable, the more decisively and cardinally a person's life changes. Therefore, the most pronounced changes in mentality are observed at tipping points in the life of society, when the existing way of life is being altered for centuries. Having a habit of being late in their appearance, they continue to operate even when social thought has already undergone radical changes.

From a functional socio-political point of view, the mentality common to a particular group contributes to maintaining the continuity of its existence and the stability of the behavior of its members, primarily in relatively stable, but especially in crisis situations. The main feature of the latter is such a destructive effect on the mentality, which endangers its integrity and the unifying-unifying behavior of people, and in the case of extreme, critical impact can lead to destabilization, stratification and disruption of the community mentality for the members of the group, up to the complete destruction of such a policy. -psychological community. The anomie that arises as a result of such situations leads to the emergence of numerous forms of deviant (deviant) behavior and acute psychological crises in representatives of a given community, which also entails socio-political consequences: the community becomes capable, first of all, of destructive behavior in socio-political terms, sometimes fraught not only with the destruction of the social structure, but also with the self-destruction of such a community.

In such cases, a special, "crisis mentality" arises as an expression of a certain stage in the disintegration of previously stable socio-political formations that determine people's behavior, in the structure of consciousness and in the psyche as a whole. Its main features are a kind of mosaicism, unsystematization, lack of integrity and stability, situationality and continuous variability. In contrast to the pre-crisis, rather stable and structured mentality, the crisis is of a flow-like, unstable nature. A mentality of this type, for example, appears in situations of a sharp transition from totalitarianism to democracy, characterized by the emergence of a whole range of forms of social life - in particular, socio-political pluralism, a multi-structured economy, a multi-party system, etc.

An example of this kind, in particular, is the attempts at various reforms in Soviet society associated with the perestroika period: the main factor of these reforms was to be the "human factor", that is, a new, changed mentality of the whole society was assumed. The development of events has shown, however, that the transformation of mentality is a rather lengthy and painful process, which is associated, firstly, with the difficulties of abandoning the previous "psychological equipment", with significant inertia and a special kind of "resistance" of the old mentality, and secondly, with the danger of destructive consequences as a result of its too rapid destruction and, thirdly, with the complexity of the formation of a new mentality in the process, in fact, of forced adaptation of people not so much to new conditions as to the forthcoming long period of reform. Difficulties of this kind lead to the fact that social transformations are deprived of support from the mass mentality of society and are forced to overcome additional resistance from the psychology of members of society.

Literature

Anufriev E., Lesnaya P. Russian mentality as a socio-political phenomenon // Socio-political journal. 1997. No. 3-7.

Biryukov N.I., Sergeev V.M. "Sobornost" as a paradigm of political consciousness // Polis. 1997. No. 3.

Vyatr E. Sociology of Political Relations. - M., 1979.

Ivanov V.N., Nazarov M.M. Political mentality: experience and research prospects // Socio-political journal. 1998. No. 2.

Foundations of Political Science. Textbook for higher educational institutions. Part 2. - M., 1995.

Political Process: Main Aspects and Methods of Analysis: Collection teaching materials/ Ed. Meleshkina E.Yu. - M., 2001.

Political Science for Lawyers: A Course of Lectures. / Edited by N.I. Matuzov and A.V. Malko. - M., 1999.

Political science. Lecture course. / Ed. M.N. Marchenko. - M., 2000.

Political science. Textbook for universities / Edited by M.A. Vasilik. - M., 1999.

Political science. Encyclopedic Dictionary. - M., 1993.

Soloviev A.I. Political Science: Political Theory, Political Technologies: A Textbook for University Students. - M., 2001.

Chudinova I.M. Political myths // Socio-political journal. 1996. No. 6.

Faculty of Education

Department ???

Test work in political science
on the topic:

"Political consciousness and its structure"

Executor:
Vorobieva O.V.
Supervisor:

Yaroslavl
2011
Content
Introduction …………………………………………… ……. ……. ………… 3
1. The concept and essence of political consciousness ……. ……. ……… ..4

2. Functions of political consciousness …………. ……………. ……… ..7

Introduction
Political consciousness is one of the central categories of political science, which characterizes the subjective side of political life. By its content, political consciousness is a complex formation, in a generalized form reflecting the degree of citizens' ideas about politics and a rational attitude towards it. Political consciousness includes theories, ideas, feelings, perceptions, values, expectations, moods, and so on, formed in various social groups and individuals on the basis of their inclusion in the system of political relations and participation in the processes of exercising political power.
The structure of political consciousness is quite complex; it has many different dimensions. And so as not to get confused in them, highlighting structural elements political consciousness, it is necessary to clearly understand each time on what basis this selection is made.
Thus, this work is devoted to problem political consciousness and its structure. Her relevance connected with the fact that the content and nature of the political process, the behavior of political leaders, the activities of political institutions and organizations, directly depend on the political ideas of the subjects of political relations widespread in society and on the prevailing mentality of people.
Target of this work: to consider the concept and essence of political consciousness, as well as its structure and functions.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:
1. Consider the concept and essence of the phenomenon of political consciousness.

2. Highlight the main functions of political consciousness.

1. The concept and essence of political consciousness
According to V.N. Lavrinenko, political consciousness as a sphere of public consciousness is a reflection of the relations that develop within society between various social groups regarding the conquest, retention and use of power, that is, political relations. The researcher believes that political consciousness- this is the result of both the reflection by the subjects of certain phenomena, and the expression of their attitude to the reflected political events [ibid.].
What does it reflect and what assessments are presented in it? First of all, the attitude towards power, the ways and forms of its organization and implementation, towards political forces of various orientations and methods of their activity. At the same time, political activity, according to A.G. Unpelov, is precisely the basis on which political consciousness is formed. Therefore, it appears, first of all, as a conscious, comprehended through the prism of socio-political needs, political knowledge, which is its rational component. However, the content of political consciousness is not limited only to knowledge as a rational moment, but includes the products of sensory reflection and evaluation. Political consciousness is a product of the rational, emotional and volitional assimilation by people of the content and characteristics of political relations.
Consequently, political consciousness can be defined as a complex of ideas, theoretical concepts, views, perceptions, opinions, value judgments, emotional states of the subjects of political relations.
Political consciousness is a natural subjective component of political activity, political behavior.
The politicization of public and individual consciousness, its separation into a relatively independent sphere, believes V.A. Melnik, happens where and when social inequalities arise, institutions of social management and public authority are formed.
At the same time, it should be noted that the genesis of political consciousness is predetermined not only by social relations, the formation of authorities and administration, but also by the development of such forms of social consciousness as science, morality, religion, and legal consciousness.
In addition, an important aspect of the issue under consideration is that the subjective images with the help of which a social group, person or society as a whole reflect political reality, form structure of political consciousness which will be discussed later. It should be remembered that cognition of objective reality by the subject is possible with the help of intellect, feelings, imagination, fantasy. Consequently, the structure of political consciousness as a whole is determined using three components: rational, sensual and irrational... Sensual include images, perceptions, assessments, moods, desires, etc. Rational ones include generalized ideas, concepts, perceptions, norms, opinions, etc. Irrational components include subjective formations unmotivated by consciousness, as well as utopias, fantastic images. In addition, rational, sensual and irrational representations are interconnected. A rational image of political reality cannot arise outside of sensory perception, which stimulates thought processes. Irrational beliefs, such as political myths, are also associated with sensory and rational components.
However, political consciousness is also relatively independent.
The relativity of the independence of political consciousness in relation to consciousness in general and its specific non-politicized manifestations (science, morality, religion, art, etc.) is due to the fact that consciousness as a way of comprehending real life is one in its essential characteristics, laws of manifestation and functioning. This is due to the fact that consciousness in all its forms and manifestations has a single basis - the social and natural being of people, their intellect, will, feelings.
In addition, the relatively independent nature of political consciousness, in contrast, for example, from morality or economic consciousness, manifests itself in the specifics of the political space, political relations, political culture, traditions and norms of political behavior, in the specifics of political technologies and methods of political activity, in the specifics conceptual-categorical apparatus developed by political philosophy, political science, sociology of politics and other sciences that study political realities and political consciousness.
In the formation and deployment of the political consciousness of subjects, researchers distinguish a number of stages:
1. The inclusion of subjects of consciousness in the system of political relations. The politicization of the individual, social group, society.
2. The emergence of political orientations.
3. Accumulation of political knowledge.
4. Political self-determination.
5. Conscious political action.
Among basic properties of political consciousness include: its historical, social nature, pluralism, multicomponent, multilevel, dialectic [ibid.].
Thus, political consciousness is the subject of research in philosophy, political science, and special sections of sociology. In its entirety, political consciousness is studied by political psychology. At the same time, the subjective side of political life is reflected in political consciousness. The role of political consciousness in the life of society can hardly be overestimated. After all, it is not only a passive reflection of political life. Political consciousness is capable of outstripping practice, predicting the development of socio-political processes. Therefore, it is able to provide significant impact on political life, on the dynamics of the political culture of society. In addition, political behavior, the nature of political activity, both of individuals and of their social and political associations, largely depends on the level of political consciousness.
2. Functions of political consciousness
According to researchers, political consciousness performs a number of functions:
1. Regulatory function... Political consciousness regulates the social behavior of people on the basis of the perception of reality, as well as on the basis of the totality of political ideas, norms, perceptions and beliefs generated by it.
The need for the regulatory function of political consciousness is revealed with particular force at critical stages of social development, in periods of crisis. The effectiveness of political systems, the course of events, the direction of socio-political transformations depend on the political consciousness of broad strata of society, on the political attitudes of the "top".
2. Cognitive and informational function... People sooner or later, but inevitably, come into contact with the world of politics. Even if they do not want to deal with it, the politics will “deal with” them all the same. It affects the life and fate of people through the state, laws, parties, public organizations, etc. It "penetrates" people in the form of political information. The mechanism of modern life is such that people are forced to constantly make choices, including political ones. All this pushes them to understand the world of politics, to receive political information.
In this regard, political consciousness is called upon to help people to assimilate political knowledge and information, to determine their place in social and political life and to orient themselves correctly in it [ibid.].

Evaluation function... Political consciousness is intended not only for the awareness (reflection) of socio-political reality. In its depths, in the process of understanding the world of politics, assessments (attitudes) to certain political phenomena and problems are developed.

3. The structure of political consciousness
3. 1. Subjects of political consciousness
L. Ya. Gozman and E.B. Shestopal believe that and as a consciousness in general, political consciousness can only belong to certain subjects, namely: the subjects of political relations.
This is due to the fact that the subjects of politics are most often individuals, social groups, classes, nations, society as a whole. They are the social carriers of political consciousness [ibid.].
Accordingly, political consciousness is distinguished individual, social group, class, nation, society.
Thus, the political consciousness of an individual, social group and society are not identical to each other. The political consciousness of a group and society is not a simple sum of the political ideas of the individuals that make them up. Each social group, like each society, being independent subjects of politics, develop their own political ideas. At the same time, there is a dialectical relationship between the individual, group and mass, that is, inherent in the people, society, types of political consciousness.
In addition, the totality of political ideas carried by social groups and society as a whole is the basis for the formation of individual political consciousness. In turn, the personal characteristics of political views and beliefs, due to the creative activity of their carriers, can acquire the character of a group or social value [ibid.].
It is also important to note that politics is the area of ​​relations of all classes and strata to the state and government, the area of ​​relationships between social groups, classes, nations and peoples. By virtue of this, political consciousness, not least of all, acts as a specific form of expression of the political interests of social classes and groups. At the same time, the assessment of socio-political reality depends on the specific position that the bearer of this assessment occupies - an individual, a social group, a class - in a given system of social relations. Therefore, social and class features are objectively inherent in the political consciousness of these social subjects [ibid.].
Such features are to a large extent inherent in the political consciousness of society as a whole. Each social group seeks to present its political interests as meeting the general interests.
However, the most significant influence on the nature of the political consciousness of society is exerted by the economically dominant social forces, which have the maximum opportunities for spiritual production and, accordingly, for their influence on all members of society.
At the same time, political consciousness, reflecting the objective interest of the nation, the people as a whole, is also characterized by national features that are inherent in all social groups and individuals.
Thus, complex processes of interaction and mutual influence take place between the social-class and national elements of political consciousness. These two tendencies are constantly inherent to one degree or another in the consciousness of any subject of politics, however, in different periods of social development, either one or the other dominates. There is no doubt, for example, that in periods of external threat to the country's security, national interests come to the fore in the political consciousness of all social forces. Whereas at the beginning of the XXI century, in the face of the global problems of mankind, in the political consciousness of the peoples, all more space occupy common human values ​​and interests.
Thus, in the process of political socialization, a person assimilates the fundamental features of mass and group political consciousness. Realizing her interests, she objectively identifies in her actions with the positions of the social group that are close to her. Although the group political consciousness is made up of individual political consciousness, this does not at all mean their identity. Personal political consciousness is characterized not only by a high level of socialization, but also by its uniqueness, rather diverse properties. At the same time, the social experience of each individual is unique, his political consciousness can undergo such changes as a result of which reactionary, conservative or revolutionary political positions can be formed.
3.2. Levels of political consciousness
According to Diligensky G.G., political consciousness exists at various levels and in different forms... First of all, it should be highlighted specialized and ... Let's give a brief description of them.
Specialized consciousness is, as a rule, an ideologically homogeneous consciousness. Initially, it is the property of a few. Its carriers are primarily political parties and other political organizations and associations. They fix the need for purposeful activity to form and develop mass consciousness in the appropriate direction.
At the same time, the main thing in specialized consciousness is the elaboration, development and introduction into the consciousness of ordinary representatives of the social class, social group (or groups), and the social stratum of certain attitudes.
Whereas mass political consciousness indirectly expresses the level and content of the needs of society. It also reflects the nature of society's knowledge of political reality [ibid.].
In addition, the relevant knowledge, on the one hand, is developed by various ideologies and anchored in political culture. On the other hand, such knowledge is also "obtained" by the own practice of mass social groups.
It should be noted that the mass political consciousness is very dynamic. It has a concrete historical character, often going through periods of ups and downs. It is influenced by many factors: political courses and tactical and strategic activities of certain parties, various social upheavals, the content of a specific historical situation and many others.
It should also be remembered that in reality it is possible various options interconnection of specialized political consciousness (for example, a political party) and mass political consciousness.
At the same time, sometimes what is theoretically and practically obsolete and overcome by a particular political party can remain inherent in the political consciousness of society for a long time. This circumstance was noted by many politicians both the present and the past. But the opposite situation is also possible: in the mass political consciousness the need for this or that political action, the adoption of any political decision, is fixed, but the specialized consciousness is not ready for this. For example, in our country, the idea of ​​the need for a multi-party system was first established in society, and the corresponding initiatives from the monopoly Communist Party and the state followed with a serious delay.
Obviously, for the constructive and stable socio-political development of society, it is extremely important not only the interaction of specialized and mass consciousness. Even more important is their mutual sensitive reaction to all changes in the mentality of people and society as a whole, and its constituent social groups.
According to the researchers, the following levels can be distinguished in the political consciousness:
1. State. At this level of political consciousness, the development and substantiation of official policy are carried out. One of the main features of this level is the desire to express the common interests of the ruling political forces. At the same level, there is an adaptation (adaptation) of the interests of society, public opinion to the policy pursued by state institutions.
"State" consciousness regulates political relations by developing various bills, programs, decisions, constitutions, amendments to their articles, etc.
This level of political consciousness is distinguished by the greatest consistency in defending the existing political order and principles of government. It is also characterized by a positive-pragmatic way of perceiving political reality - that is, an orientation towards achieving success, benefits in the process of acquiring, expanding or retaining power.
2. Theoretical. This level of political consciousness is usually represented by various kinds of ideas, concepts, views, points of view that are of a political nature. This level is closely related to the science and ideology of a particular social class, ruling circles.
At the same time, in the political theories and teachings presented at this level, the goal is to investigate the following Problems:
- essential manifestations of politics;
- natural political tendencies and processes;
- the reasons causing them;
- the real course of political events;
- actual and possible consequences of political decisions taken by legislative, administrative (executive) and judicial instances.
A feature of the theoretical level of political consciousness is its close relationship with economic, legal, military-strategic and other realities. This level also differs in the formulation of political theories in the corresponding political programs, declarations and doctrines. At the same time, such programs, being implemented in practice, consolidate political consciousness as a leading element of politics. And this element, in turn, determines the nature of political relations and political institutions, organizations and institutions, the use of material means of implementing politics.
And finally, understanding politics at a theoretical level allows:
- to set and solve it the most important goals and tasks - both fundamental (strategic) and current (tactical);
- to determine the means and methods of their achievement;
- to determine the directions and ways of organizational and political support in the course of solving urgent problems;
- to develop conceptual approaches to social control over the implementation of political decisions and target programs;
- adjust the policy taking into account the data of practical experience.
3. Empirical... This level of political consciousness is based on direct practice, live participation in the political process of individuals, small and large social communities.
This level reflects political reality in the form of sensations, ideas, illusions, experiences. Taken in unity with theoretical views in the field of politics, they serve, At first, a fertile ground for the formation of public opinion among the masses about politics and political figures, and Secondly, the spiritual basis of the political culture of society.
4. Ordinary. This level of political consciousness is closely related to the empirical level, but at the same time, in comparison with it, it has a number of differences. So, the empirical level directly characterizes the practical experience of the subject. The ordinary level characterizes the totality of ideas and views of a social class, social stratum or group of people arising directly from everyday life.
The ordinary level of political consciousness differs from the empirical one in that it has ideological and theoretical elements. This level is characterized by pronounced social and psychological features: feelings, moods, emotions. This gives it a special dynamism, the ability to react sensitively to changes in the political situation.
In addition, the everyday level of political consciousness is distinguished by the interconnectedness of rational and emotional, fresh everyday experience and traditions, momentary moods and stable stereotypes. Therefore, this level is unstable, dependent on emotions and changing direct experience, subject to fluctuations [ibid.].
Thus, political consciousness has a complex structure and a number of levels. It not only reflects political reality, but also develops a certain perception of it. And on the basis of this perception, in many respects, political behavior is built, both of individual citizens and of society as a whole.
3.3. Political ideology, political psychology, political myths and utopias
According to researchers, important levels of political consciousness that require separate consideration are - political ideology and political psychology, which only partially coincide in content, respectively, with theoretical and ordinary, but also have their own specifics.
So, ideology is usually understood as a system of theoretical views, ideas that express the interests and goals of certain social groups and aimed at preserving or changing existing social relations. Political ideology, accordingly, it is a theoretical understanding of political reality from the point of view of the interests and goals of any social group (class, nation, etc.) [ibid.].
At the same time, the volumes of the concepts "political ideology" and " political theory»Partially overlap each other, since ideology analyzes political reality by means of theory - this is systematized, logically consistent knowledge that claims to be objective, developed by professionals in the sphere of spiritual production. However, ideology does not fit entirely within the framework of theory, because it represents knowledge not only about existence (about what is), but also about what should be (about what should be) in society, which deprives it of solid theoretical ground.
Another level of political consciousness, paired with ideological, is political psychology - a set of political feelings, opinions, moods arising from various social groups on the basis of a community of political needs and interests. Being an unsystematic and spontaneously forming spiritual formation, political psychology is a kind of analogue of everyday consciousness. But there is no complete coincidence between them, since the concept of "political psychology" includes, along with rational, also irrational, ie. unconscious elements not controlled by consciousness - motives, preferences, attitudes, etc. [ibid.].
etc.................

Detailed solution Paragraph § 26 on social studies for students of grade 11, authors L.N. Bogolyubov, N.I. Gorodetskaya, L.F. Ivanova 2014

Question 1. Do people always participate in political life consciously? Why are there different views on politics? Do the psychological characteristics of its participants influence political life? Who can manipulate the minds and behavior of people?

Political beliefs - a set or system of beliefs and views on politics, economics, the structure of the state and society, on what laws should be and what public morality should be.

Political convictions are often closely intertwined with other personal convictions of a person - with his faith or religion, his personal morality and scale of values.

Political beliefs may or may not be reflected in specific actions aimed at protecting or realizing these beliefs, for example, in voting in elections for a specific political party or movement, for a specific candidate, or in participation or non-participation in rallies and protest demonstrations, etc. . etc.

Mass consciousness manipulation is one of the ways to control a large number of people (collectives, communities) by creating illusions and conditions for controlling behavior. This influence is aimed at the mental structures of a person, is carried out covertly and aims to establish control over behavior, to deprive the freedom of choice of the object of manipulation by changing the ideas, opinions, motives and goals of people in the direction necessary for a certain group. Mass consciousness manipulation is a key element of psychological operations and information warfare.

Questions and tasks to the document

Question 1. What is the positive significance of expanding the volume of publicly available information?

The positive value of expanding the volume of publicly available information is to expand the knowledge of mankind. Publicly available information gives people the right to obtain comprehensive knowledge in almost any field.

Question 2. What are Negative consequences such an extension?

Humanity is faced with a threat created by it - with the danger of drowning in the boundless ocean of unstructured information. Moreover, this danger is associated not only with an overabundance of information, but also with the increasing entropy of the information space, filled with information of unequal quality, or even littered with "information garbage" or even infected with "information poison".

Question 3. What are the difficulties of orientation in unstructured information?

Due to the large amount of similar data, it is difficult to choose what you really need.

Question 4. How should we understand the words about the entropy of the information space?

Information entropy is a measure of the uncertainty or unpredictability of information, the uncertainty of the appearance of any symbol of the primary alphabet. In the absence of information losses, it is numerically equal to the amount of information per symbol of the transmitted message.

Question 5. Why do you think so many people prefer to use "the usual sources of political information"?

The usual ones are television, radio and Internet, newspapers. They are the most convenient to use.

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-TEST

Question 1. What is the essence of the difference between the concept of "political consciousness" from the concept of "political knowledge"?

Political consciousness is one of the forms of social consciousness. These are the thoughts and feelings of a participant in the political process regarding this process itself and his own role in it. Political life, activities of political institutions, political events and political decisions are understood in different ways social communities- classes, nations, social groups, as well as individuals. All political phenomena are reflected in ideas about politics, experiences, mental operations.

The concept of "political consciousness" is not identical with the concept of "political knowledge". This is not only the image of political reality in the minds of people, but also their attitude to this reality. This is the subjective internal attitude of people to the objective political conditions and forms of their activities, their functions and roles in political life, moreover, an interested, biased attitude. It is based on the positive or negative meaning (practical value, relevance) of political relations, institutions, norms, events for the participants in the political process. Political consciousness is formed in different ways and specifically reflects the world on two levels - everyday-practical and ideological-theoretical.

Question 2. What is the difference between the two levels of political consciousness: everyday-practical and ideological-theoretical? What is the connection between them?

Everyday political consciousness is formed in all people spontaneously, in Everyday life, v practical activities... Entering into interaction with various political institutions, social forces, being drawn into political processes, experiencing political events, people learn the world of politics, they form an attitude towards political phenomena, political figures, practical experience, ideas, emotions, habits arise. The consciousness of people reflects what is directly observed, what is, as it were, on the surface of political life. Political psychology occupies a significant place in everyday consciousness. These are political feelings, feelings, moods, opinions, value orientations and value judgments, in which the emotional perception of political life, the role of a given individual, a certain group of people in it is manifested.

Ideological-theoretical consciousness, in contrast to the ordinary, goes beyond the limits of what is visually perceived, reflects essential factors and tendencies of political life, internal regular connections in the system of concepts, generalizing conclusions, political ideas. If ordinary consciousness arises spontaneously, then the theoretical is the result of a qualified professional activity scientists, ideologists. If at the ordinary level consciousness is fragmentary, mosaic, blurred, contradictory, then at the theoretical level it takes the form of a systematized scientific and theoretical explanation of political phenomena or ideological doctrines. The scientific study of politics creates the science of political science. And the system of ideas and views that expresses the fundamental interests, worldview, ideals of any subject of politics (class, nation, whole society, social movement, party) is called ideology. It acts in the form of socio-political theories, program documents of political parties, slogans.

These are different levels of the same political consciousness, which are interconnected and influence each other. The everyday consciousness of individuals changes to a greater or lesser extent in the study of political science, the perception of ideology. Political consciousness as a whole determines the political behavior of each subject of politics.

Question 3. What is ideology? What role does it play in political life?

In modern science, political ideology is understood as a set of systematized ideas of a particular group of persons, expressing and designed to protect their interests and goals with the help of political power or influencing it.

Social interests depend on the position in society of certain groups of the population. Each of them strives to create such social conditions under which its needs for spiritual and material benefits would be satisfied most fully. Since the position of certain social groups in society differs significantly, their interests may not coincide, and often are directly opposite. Consequently, those views on society and the ways of its development, those ideas about the best social order, in which the interests of different groups are expressed, cannot be the same.

And in our time, society consists of many social groups. Their interests find expression in various ideologies. Political ideology contains the views of a given social group on political life, substantiates the group's claims to power, to use it in the interests of this group. It answers the questions: what should be the state power? What policy should it pursue? This is a system of concepts and ideas in which a certain subject of politics reflects political life in his mind, realizes his own political positions and sees the guidelines for the struggle for his interests.

Many modern researchers view ideology as a theoretical basis for the value system of certain political actors.

As for ideology, it tends to simplify, to partially reflect reality, which is viewed from one point of view or another. At the same time, ideology tends to present one side of reality as its complete picture.

A social group, whose interests are served by a certain ideology, is predisposed to its perception, accepts this ideology as a system of its own views on political life, on the expected social change... A simplified interpretation of political life is more easily accepted by the masses than a complex system of scientific evidence, and attractive projects of social structure, as well as the arguments in their defense, are taken on trust.

Social groups, political elites, political parties, political figures participating in political life act in the direction that is set by the ideology they have adopted. A certain ideology is an essential characteristic of any political party. A party, as a rule, unites adherents of this ideology and opposes it to the ideological positions of other political parties, conducts ideological discussions with them, and often an ideological struggle.

In what form does political ideology exist? First of all, it is presented in the form of socio-political theories that substantiate certain values ​​and ideals that underlie the proposed political course.

Political programs reflecting the demands of social groups, political elites, political organizations, as well as speeches of party and state leaders are important forms of the embodiment of ideology. Political programs (primarily party programs), in contrast to theoretical works, are intended directly for the needs of political activity, they reveal its goals and ways to achieve them, the immediate and subsequent tasks of the struggle for the interests of certain social groups. At the heart of the tasks put forward and the proclaimed slogans are the values ​​inherent in this ideology.

Political parties as bearers of a certain ideology use it as a means of rallying their members. People professing the same ideology become like-minded people.

Parties also strive to widely disseminate their ideology among the population. People who have adopted the ideology of this or that party, as a rule, become its supporters, respond to the calls of this party, vote for it in the elections. Therefore, any party is fighting for the introduction of its ideology into the consciousness of people. Various political organizations strive to disseminate in society or a certain part of the population their assessments of the past and the present, their understanding of the political situation, their ideas about the future.

Each ideology claims that it is it that gives the correct knowledge about reality, setting the guidelines for political activity. Expressing the interests of certain social groups, ideology becomes a motive for political activity, plays a mobilizing role.

Ideology reflecting common national-state interests can play a special role in political life. Along with the interests of various social groups, the interests of the entire people can be identified, which will form the core of such a nationwide ideology. In a number of democracies, there is general agreement on basic values. Such an ideology becomes a spiritual guideline, contributing to the strengthening of the integrity of society, its upward development.

Question 4. Describe each of the ideologies that influenced the events of the XX century.

Among the multitude ideological and political trends can be called the ideologies that have had the greatest impact on the political development of society in the XX century. These are liberal, conservative, socialist and fascist ideologies.

The main value of liberal ideology is individual freedom. Founded at the end of the 17th-18th centuries. classical liberalism interpreted personal freedom primarily as economic freedom, entrepreneurial activity based on private property. In the political sphere, liberalism defended democracy, the idea of ​​the rule of law and the separation of powers, in social relations - equality of opportunity, equality before the law, in spiritual life - freedom of thought and speech.

In the middle of the XX century. it became clear that the liberals' hopes for the ability to solve social problems with the help of a market, competitive economy, protected from state interference, did not come true. The liberal ideology is being adjusted, the result of which is a new liberalism. Having inherited the principles of freedom, equality, brotherhood, the right to property, private enterprise, neoliberalism recognizes the need for the state to participate in the regulation of economic life, to pursue a policy of social assistance in favor of the lower strata of society.

Conservative ideology long time opposed liberalism. The basic principles of conservatism are traditionalism, stability, order. Natural hierarchy is recognized human society, natural inequality, privileges of the upper strata. Conservative ideology orients towards a strong state power exercised by a professional political elite. Unlike liberalism, the interests of the state, nation, and society are valued higher than the interests of the individual.

At the same time, conservatism, like liberalism, attaches fundamental importance to private property and freedom of entrepreneurship.

Just like liberalism, under the influence of the changes that took place in the 20th century, the conservative ideology changed, moving closer to the liberal one. Neoconservatism is characterized by respect for the freedom of the individual, recognizes the need, albeit limited, state regulation of the economy. Attention is focused on the duties of a person, personal initiative, personal opportunities that everyone should use, not counting on social assistance from the state. The state should provide free goods only to those who really need them. The ideas of creative work, attracting workers to participate in the profits of the enterprise, in improving the quality of products are put forward. Among the main values ​​of conservatism are morality, religion, law, order, discipline, stability, family, nation, power.

Socialist ideology is associated with the centuries-old dream of the swept away strata of a society of social justice. It manifested itself in utopian projects containing the ideas of liquidating private property, organizing social production, equality, distribution according to abilities, etc. Unlike liberalism, based on the priority of the individual, socialist ideology attached primary importance to the collective, or social, principle.

The most developed socialist doctrine in the XIX century. became Marxism. He argued the inevitability of a socialist revolution, the preconditions for which arise with the development of capitalism. Under capitalism, the proletariat grows, which, having accomplished the revolution and creating the state of the proletarian dictatorship, will build a society of social justice. The first stage of communist society will be socialism, in which social property will dominate, planned economy and distribution according to work will be carried out.

On public consciousness and politics in the XX century. the greatest influence was exerted by two currents of socialist ideology: social reformism and Leninism.

Social reformism, or social democratic ideology, arose on the basis of revision (revision) of a number of the provisions of Marxism and rejection of the ideas of class struggle, revolution, and the dictatorship of the proletariat. On the basis of an analysis of the development of capitalism, the ideologists of social reformism drew the conclusion that the path to socialism lies through the gradual transformations of capitalist society, through reforms. In the middle of the XX century. these ideas were absorbed by the concept of democratic socialism, the main values ​​of which were freedom, justice, solidarity. In the political sphere, this is the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, guarantees of individual rights. State regulation is envisaged market economy. Social democracy is understood as the creation of living and working conditions worthy of a person, the redistribution of income in favor of the disabled, the availability of the education system and spiritual values, and the improvement of the environment.

Socialism, from the point of view of the Social Democrats, is not a concrete social system, but a gradual improvement of social conditions, the establishment of social justice in public life. The social democratic parties that were in power in some countries (for example, Germany, Sweden), having implemented their ideology in politics, significantly influenced the development of social democracy in these countries.

Leninism, or communist ideology, emphasized the Marxist idea of ​​revolutionary violence. Special attention in this ideology, he turns to the role of the state of the dictatorship of the proletariat, led by a political party, in the reorganization of society on the principles of equality and social justice. In the second half of the XX century. many bearers of communist ideology in a number of countries rejected the idea of ​​the dictatorship of the proletariat and developed mechanisms for a peaceful transition to socialism, converging in a number of positions with social democratic ideas. Others, radical supporters of the communist orientation, remained committed to the principles of the revolutionary reorganization of society, the violent suppression of opponents of such a transformation. The experience of the implementation of communist ideology by the ruling parties in the USSR and a number of countries in Central and Southeast Europe ended with the collapse of the socio-political system created in these countries.

The ideology of fascism, in contrast to liberal, conservative and socialist ideas, arose in the XX century. and was a reflection of deep crises that hit various countries. Modern researchers note the inherent ideas of racial inequality and superiority of one race over another; assessment of the personality principle as secondary in comparison with the racial-ethnic principle; treating national minorities and political parties defending the principles of democracy and the rule of law as internal enemies; rejection of the democratic system in favor of a strong dictatorial power; substantiation of the political domination of the fascist party, which ensures complete control over the individual and the whole of society; the principle of the Fuhrer (leaderism), meaning the unity of the state, embodied in the leader, and requiring the unconditional subordination of the masses to their leader. This ideology is characterized by the encouragement of national militarism, the cult of war, which should lead to the unity of the nation.

Racism, chauvinism, violence, misanthropy, aggression - all this, to a greater or lesser extent, is inherent in all varieties of fascism. The features of fascist ideology were most fully embodied in German National Socialism, which substantiated the goal of world domination of the Aryan race. The implementation of the ideas of National Socialism led to a grave tragedy for both the people of Germany and the peoples of all of Europe.

In modern conditions, fascist ideology seeks to fence itself off from the darkest manifestations of fascism in the first half of the 20th century. But neo-fascism still preaches a cult of violence, nationalism and racism, while maintaining a continuity with the ideology of its predecessors.

Question 5. What are specific traits political psychology?

In the structure of political consciousness, political psychology plays an important role - political feelings, emotions, moods, opinions and other psychological components and aspects of the political life of society. Unlike ideology, which belongs to the theoretical level of political consciousness and is the fruit of the specialized activities of a small group of ideologists, political psychology is formed in everyday life, in the process of interaction of citizens with institutions of power, that is, at the level of everyday consciousness. Therefore, it is characterized as a practical type of consciousness. It is an unsystematic, internally contradictory set of views and includes both rational and irrational, subconscious elements.

A relatively stable part of political psychology is mores, mentality, the psychological makeup of ethnic groups, common sense, and more changeable - moods, emotions, experiences, expectations. All these components of political psychology influence the behavior of the subjects of politics.

Scientists studying political psychology reveal its role in political life in a number of areas. First, it is the psychology of the personality in politics (including the personality of the leader). Secondly, the psychology of a small group (relationships within the group and its relationship with the external environment). Third, the psychology of large social groups and national-ethnic communities. Fourthly, the psychology of the masses and mass sentiments. Important direction- study of the perception of the population of political information, disseminated primarily through radio and television channels.

Question 6. Determine the place of the media in modern political life. What do you know about their functions? How does the media exercise their political influence?

The mass media (mass media) are widely used to disseminate ideology. This is the name of the technical means of creating, replicating and distributing information messages to a mass audience.

The media play an extremely important role in modern political life. Their information function consists in reporting the most significant events, commenting on them and evaluating them. The function of political socialization is to familiarize people with political values, norms, and patterns of behavior. The function of criticism and control allows citizens to analyze and evaluate the activities of government bodies. Another function is to represent various public interests, opinions, views on politics. The function of shaping public opinion is also related to this. And the mobilization function is expressed in encouraging people to take certain political actions.

The most widespread media outlets are radio, television, and the press. There is a kind of division of labor between them. When reporting a political event, radio basically lets you know what happened. Television shows how it happened. And to the question of why it happened, the most complete answer is given by the press. The ability to “come to every home”, the presence of video sequences (“pictures”) on television, which creates the “effect of presence”, as well as a combination of visual and auditory images, ease of perception of information make electronic media the most effective means of influencing political consciousness and people's behavior. It is no coincidence that the media call the "fourth estate".

The emergence of the Internet has led to a qualitatively new situation in the field of political communications. Thanks to him, a global news market appeared, functioning without the control of the authorities. The Internet has made it possible for each of its users to receive the information they need. Politics has become more open. The interactive nature of the Internet has provided new opportunities for citizens to express their needs, to participate in the discussion of socio-political issues of concern to them. At the same time, the Internet creates the danger of manipulation by consumers of network information, since it contains a huge flow of unverified, unreliable materials.

Practical experience shows that the media can contribute to the development of democracy, the conscious participation of citizens in political life, but can also be used, as mentioned above, for political manipulation. This is the name of the hidden control of the political consciousness and behavior of people in order to direct them in the direction necessary for certain social forces.

The political influence of the media is carried out by influencing both the mind and the feelings of a person. Along with truthful information in propaganda, half-truths are often given, and also, depending on the nature of the political organization conducting the propaganda, falsifications are also used - falsification of facts, disinformation.

TASKS

Question 1. Remember what political parties emerged in Russia at the beginning of the XX century. What ideology was the basis of the political program of each of them?

1. In 1901, the party of social revolutionaries (Social Revolutionaries) was formed, who considered themselves the heirs of the populists. Ideology: socialization of the land, overthrow of the autocracy. They intended to rely on the popular masses, carried on their agitation. The means are individual terror.

2. Social Democrats. This movement was based on Marxist teaching.

The minimum program: the overthrow of the autocracy and the establishment of a democratic republic, universal suffrage, broad local self-government and the right of nations to self-determination, an 8-hour working day, the return of their land to the peasants, cut off in 1861, and the abolition of redemption payments. The maximum program: the establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat (the rest is the same as the minimum). Due to the difference in views, it split into Mensheviks and Bolsheviks, respectively.

3. Black-Hundred movement: the main organizing force is the noble landowners. They were on the side of the autocracy, "all the troubles of great and mighty Russia come from the revolutionary intellectuals and foreigners ..."

4. "Union of October 17" or Octobrists. This party was satisfied with the manifesto of October 17 and advocated an end to the revolution.

Question 2. What do you think the Polish writer B. Chesko meant in the following reasoning: “Big politics will sooner or later overtake you. But try not to be caught in your underwear? What material in the paragraph will help answer this question?

Sooner or later, all politicians are caught on something, regardless of whether they did something or not, because if they didn’t, then they may simply be displeasing to someone, but you need to be ready for this so that you are not taken by surprise ...

Question 3. The Law "On the Mass Media", which gives broad rights to journalists, also states that it is inadmissible to abuse these rights, in particular, their use to conceal or falsify socially significant information, spread rumors under the guise of reliable messages. Explain the meaning of this legal norm.

This is done so that the information received is not concealed by journalists in order to possibly blackmail these people, and so that it is not possible to spread unconfirmed rumors and gossip at the official level.

Question 4. In 2010, sociological research on the question: "Do you have an idea in which direction our country is moving, what goals are set for it by the current leadership?" 15% of the respondents answered: "Pretty clear idea", 43% said: "Pretty vague idea", and 23% of respondents - "There is no idea." At the same time, 7% found it difficult to answer, and 12% said that things in the country were on their own. What conclusions about the political consciousness of citizens can you draw from the given data? How can you explain the results obtained? Give reasons for your position.

Low political consciousness. This is due to the population's distrust of the political forces of our country.

Question 5. How do you understand the words of the famous Russian scientist P. L. Kapitsa: "The media are no less dangerous than the means of mass destruction"?

The importance and role of the media in the life of society and the functioning of the state can hardly be overestimated. The main task of the media is to inform people about various issues of the life of the state and society, which is due to the need to ensure the stability of power. Taking this into account, the mass media by means of influencing the consciousness of people strive to form certain attitudes, assessments and judgments in them in order to create a positive stereotype of law-abiding behavior of citizens, to develop a desire to observe the rule of law and respect the law.

With the emergence of the state and the development of the political organization of society, political consciousness arises and develops. This is the part of public consciousness that is directly related to political phenomena and processes. Political consciousness is one of the central categories of political science, it denotes the subject's perception of that part of the surrounding reality that is associated with politics. This is a set of views, attitudes that express people's attitude to the state and parties, political values ​​and goals, traditions and norms of political life Thus, political consciousness Is a set of views, assessments, emotions related to politics.

Political consciousness expressed in three aspects: knowledge, assessment, emotions - and has two dimensions: epistemological (cognitive activity through which the essence of the subjects and objects of politics is comprehended, the laws of the connection of the political sphere with other areas of society's life governing them) and sociological (the role and significance of political consciousness in the political system of society, its social functions, this is a subjective component of the individual's activity in politics ). This aspect is associated with the identification of carriers of consciousness, the definition of their interests and motives of activity. Arising and developing within the framework of the awareness and realization of generally significant political interests, political consciousness acts as a conceptual, evaluative, symbolic and other reflection of the real interactions of classes, social groups, citizens fighting for the realization of their goals.

Cognition of political life occurs on two levels: empirical (practical) and theoretical (political ideology). The difference between the two levels consists in the depth and completeness of the reflection of politics, its realities: the empirical is inaccessible to the objective laws of political life, their knowledge is carried out by political-theoretical consciousness. Ordinary political consciousness cannot be equated with false ideas, completely woven from illusions and delusions. Empirical consciousness serves as the basis for the theoretical, and it assimilates some concepts and ideas of political theory.

The formation and development of political consciousness is as follows: formation of a system of needs and requirements of society; fulfillment of certain roles and actualization of needs; the formation of a system of values; identification of a related social group; clear awareness of their own interests, needs in the socio-political sphere; an adequate assessment of the existing opportunity to influence political activity, taking into account their own subjective interests; acceptance of a system of values ​​and attitudes that shape subsequent political aspirations.

Among the factors influencing the formation of political consciousness, it should be noted the specificity of political culture, the activities of the institutions of the political system, psychological pressure with the help of the media.

41. The structure of political consciousness

Political consciousness for the most part belongs to the motivating sphere of the conscious (interests, needs, motives). It is present in every political act, directly regulates any political behavior, and that is why it is practically political consciousness.Political consciousness arises in the course of practical-activity comprehension by people of a special form of social culture of class society - politics.

Political consciousness classified according to its various types. This concept includes some essential characteristics inherent in a certain group of historically formed structures of political consciousness. It is a logically organized system of political values, priorities and guidelines. There are open and closed types of political consciousness. Open assumes the ability to perceive foreign social experience, cultural values ​​and traditions. Closed is based on corporate, local, group norms and goals and does not accept universal values ​​and guidelines. Political consciousness is multifaceted and carries various social attitudes, since in order to obtain comprehensively reliable information about it, it must be viewed simultaneously from several angles.

The type of political consciousness is in close contact with the type of political behavior of an individual, of a particular social group. In this regard, in modern conditions political consciousness is classified according to the following types:

conservative: various currents of conservatism are united by a common function - ideological and political justification and stabilization of historically obsolete structures;

liberal: as a type of political consciousness, it repels the principle of individual freedom, entrepreneurship, the market, advocates democracy and civil rights;

radical: defined as social criticism aimed at changing the existing political system.

Functions political consciousness: cognitive: gives an idea of ​​the surrounding political reality and allows a person to navigate in it; cognitive: expresses the need of a person and social groups to reflect and understand individual, group and public interests; ideological: justifies, protects and justifies the interests of a person and society as a whole; estimated: the internal attitude of the subject in the surrounding world of politics, which finds its expression in assessments concerning this world; goal-setting: contains an installation to achieve certain results of activity. The readiness of the individual for purposeful activity is determined by the motive. The motive causes activity, determines the choice of the object of activity, the path of movement to the object, the form of the subject's activity; communicative: means the interaction of subjects and carriers of political relations between themselves and institutions; predictive: lies in the ability of a group or society to make a hypothetical assessment of the possible development of political processes.

POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

Political consciousness is a natural component of the spiritual life of the individual and society, the most important component of political relations. In its dialectical development, it manifests its multidimensionality, multidimensionality, expressed in a variety of processes and forms of reflection of political reality. As a relatively holistic entity, political consciousness has a complex structure. Let's consider what is the essence of political consciousness, its content and the process of formation

1. The concept, structure and formation of political consciousness

Political consciousness as a sphere of public consciousness is a reflection of the relations that develop within society between various social groups regarding the conquest, retention and use of power, that is, political relations. Political consciousness is the result of both the reflection by the subjects of certain phenomena, and the expression of their attitude to the reflected political events. What is reflected and evaluated in it? First of all, the attitude towards power, the methods, forms of its organization and implementation, towards political forces of various orientations and methods of their activity. It should be noted that the fact that political activity is precisely the basis on which political consciousness is formed. It appears, first of all, as political knowledge, consciously understood through the prism of socio-political needs, which is its rational component. However, the content of political consciousness is not limited only to knowledge as a rational moment, but includes the products of sensory reflection and evaluation. Political consciousness is a product of the rational, emotional and volitional assimilation by people of the content and characteristics of political relations.

Political consciousness can be defined as a complex of ideas, theoretical concepts, views, perceptions, opinions, value judgments, emotional states of the subjects of political relations.

Political consciousness is a natural subjective component of political activity, political behavior.

The politicization of social and individual consciousness, its separation into a relatively independent sphere occurs where and when social inequalities arise, institutions of social management and public authority are formed.

At the same time, it should be noted that the genesis of political consciousness is predetermined not only by social relations, the formation of government and government bodies, but also by the development of such forms of social consciousness as science, morality, religion, legal consciousness.

Subjective images, with the help of which a social group, personality or society as a whole reflect political reality, form the structure of political consciousness. Cognition of objective reality by a subject is possible with the help of intellect, feelings, imagination, fantasy. Consequently, the structure of political consciousness as a whole is determined with the help of three components: rational, sensual and irrational. Sensual include images, perceptions, assessments, moods, desires, etc. Rational ones include generalized ideas, concepts, perceptions, norms, opinions, etc. Irrational components include subjective formations unmotivated by consciousness, as well as utopias, fantastic images. Rational, sensual and irrational representations are interconnected. A rational image of political reality cannot arise outside of sensory perception, which stimulates thought processes. Irrational beliefs, such as political myths, are also associated with sensory and rational components.

Considering the structure of political consciousness, it should be noted that, depending on the specifics of the processes and forms of political reflection, various areas, levels, shapes, types, etc. So, its spheres are political science (theories, concepts, hypotheses, etc.), political ideology (doctrines, ideals, programs, slogans, etc.), political psychology (political aspirations, feelings, moods, etc.) .).

Political ideology is a systematized set of ideological views and provisions that express and protect the political interests and needs of a particular social community or group and require the subordination of individual views and thoughts to the proclaimed ideological and political doctrines and attitudes.

In political ideology, two levels of functioning can be distinguished: theoretical and conceptual, at which the main provisions are formulated that reveal the interests and ideals of a class, social stratum (stratum), nation, state, and program-political, where political principles and ideals are translated or embodied in the corresponding programs, manifestos, slogans and are the ideological and political basis for making managerial decisions and orienting the political behavior and activities of people. According to the level of reflection of political reality, political consciousness can be theoretical and ordinary. In its direction, it can be democratic, authoritarian, traditional, modern, loyal, loyal, rebellious and otherwise. Its main types are mass and specialized political consciousness. According to the subjects, one can distinguish social-group, national-ethnic, religious-confessional, corporate, individual and other types of consciousness. The variety of types of political consciousness increases when considering it in relation to specific objects and subjects of political processes: to global problems (war, peace, environment, etc.)

It is very important to consider the structure of political consciousness according to the criterion of the power potential of its carriers in the range of subject (ruling) - object (subject).

The structure of political consciousness can be considered according to other criteria. For example, “matrix” indicators can be taken as a basis, those that are built on the simultaneous consideration of various signs of content, organization, and functioning. From this point of view, the structure of, for example, political consciousness in the United States, according to our researchers Y. Zamoshkin and E. Batalov, included the following types of it: 1) liberal-technocratic, 2) liberal-reformist, 3) liberal, 4) traditionalist, 5) neoconservative, 6) radical-liberal, 7) radical-statist, 8) right-positivist, 9) radical-democratic, 10) radical-rebellious, 11) radical-romantic, 12) radical-socialist, etc.

Political consciousness is also classified according to qualitative and substantive parameters. Among its various carriers, it can be more or less developed, dominate in the structure of social and individual consciousness, or be a secondary factor in life.

Intensive politicization of public consciousness is associated with periods of crisis and revolutionary situations, with the change of political regimes, personal carriers of power, the reconstruction of political systems, conceptual foundations of political behavior.

The politicization of public consciousness usually begins with the lower and upper strata social structure... The middle strata of society are subject to a lesser degree of politicization.

Political consciousness is relatively independent.

The relativity of the independence of political consciousness in relation to consciousness in general and its specific non-politicized manifestations (science, morality, religion, art, etc.) is due to the fact that creation as a way of comprehending real life is one in its essential characteristics, laws of manifestation and functioning. Consciousness in all its forms and manifestations has a single basis - the social and natural being of people, their intellect, will, feelings.

The relatively independent nature of political consciousness, in contrast, for example, from morality or economic consciousness, manifests itself in the specifics of political space, political relations, political culture, traditions and norms of political behavior, in the specifics of political technologies and methods of political activity, in the specifics of conceptual-categorical apparatus developed by political philosophy, political science, sociology of politics and other sciences that study political realities and political consciousness.

On the principles of civilized pluralism, mass political consciousness is formed and developed in countries with democratic models of organizing political life, where rule-of-law states and civil societies have developed. Such pluralism of the mass consciousness is constructive in its essence, for the political consciousness of the broad masses is oriented towards the creation of a better, promising, fair, democratic life.

On other, often revolutionary-anarchic, principles, mass political consciousness is formed in societies with an extremely polar socio-class structure, with authoritarian methods of exercising public power and government. The mass political consciousness of this type is extremely susceptible to ideological, propagandistic influences, sharply and emotionally reacts to certain socio-political processes of current reality.

As for the social-group political consciousness, it arises and develops in the process of interaction of various social groups about their satisfaction with their political interests.

Group political consciousness cannot be completely homogeneous, just as the socio-political status of its constituent entities cannot be homogeneous. Therefore, within any social group, there may be different political positions. In addition, the political consciousness of the group includes the universal political values ​​of society, which are the basis on the basis of which the unity and stability of social order emerges. And since political consciousness grows out of the interaction of various political interests, its formation is also associated with the external conditions for the realization of political interests.

Political concepts, ideas, views, assessments are very widely represented in the minds of a modern person.

In the process of political socialization, a person assimilates the fundamental features of mass and group political consciousness. Realizing her interests, she objectively identifies in her actions with the positions of the social group that are close to her. Although the group political consciousness is made up of individual political consciousness, this does not at all mean their identity. Personal political consciousness is characterized not only by a high level of socialization, but also by its uniqueness, rather diverse properties. The social experience of each individual is unique, and therefore, in the process of life, political consciousness undergoes changes, as a result of which reactionary, conservative or revolutionary political positions are formed.

The political consciousness of an individual, social group, society performs cognitive, value-orienting, ideological and prognostic functions.

A number of stages can be distinguished in the formation and deployment of the political consciousness of the subjects:

1. The inclusion of subjects of consciousness in the system of political relations. The politicization of the individual, social group, society.
2. The emergence of political orientations.
3. Accumulation of political knowledge.
4. Political self-determination.
5. Conscious political action.

The main properties of political consciousness include: historical, social character, pluralism, multicomponent, multilevel, dialectic.

Political consciousness is the subject of research in philosophy, political science, and special sections of sociology. In its entirety, political consciousness is studied by political psychology.

The subjective side of political life is reflected in political consciousness. The role of political consciousness in the life of society can hardly be overestimated. After all, it is not just a passive reflection of political life. Political consciousness is capable of outstripping practice, predicting the developed "socio-political processes. Consequently, it can have a significant impact on political life, on the dynamics of the political culture of a society. In addition, political behavior and the nature of political activity of both individuals and their social and political associations largely depend on the level of political consciousness.

Political consciousness is the awareness of the sphere of politics by social subjects (individuals, groups, communities, etc.).

Political consciousness is interconnected and interacts with other forms of social consciousness: economic views, legal theories and norms, philosophical teachings, moral concepts, aesthetic values, artistic views.

In modern scientific literature, political consciousness is one of the most general concepts that characterize the subjective side of politics. It is a combination of rational, value, normative, on the one hand, and subconscious, irrational, affective elements, on the other. On their basis, political orientations and behavior, the attitude of individuals and groups to state institutions and power, participation in government, etc. are formed.

This concept is thus associated with both individual and group processes of cognition and value orientations in the political sphere. Accordingly, it includes all levels of perception, understanding and interpretation of political processes - from primary impulses to complex theoretical constructions.

The initial (basic) layer of political consciousness is the psychological and political states of a person, which form the preconditions for his orientation in the world of politics, i.e. in the political space surrounding him, in which he can play an active or passive role depending on temperament, upbringing and education, beliefs, needs and values.

Hence it follows that the socio-political space, i.e. the totality of the institutions of the civil and political community, as well as the prevailing political traditions, ideologies, multi-level structures of knowledge, functioning in unity with the historically conditioned socio-psychological environment, plays in relation to political consciousness the role of a determinant factor that determines the individual's desire to adapt to one or another group political interests, to form a concrete idea of ​​the state, power, to determine their attitude towards them. Thereby, the experience of political participation is gained.

Depending on the degree of determination, the nature of the interaction of individuals in the socio-political space, such functions of political consciousness gradually emerge and begin to actively influence social life, such as cognitive (the need for a person to understand various sides of the world of politics); ideological (the need to unite politically? parties, nations and states, to preserve the conquered power) positions); communicative (ensuring the interaction of subjects of politics with institutions of power); predictive (the ability of individuals and groups to formulate goals, prospectively assess the directions of development of political processes); educational (the ability to influence political behavior in accordance with certain goals, ideals).

2 Levels of political consciousness

1. The state level at which the development and justification of official policy is carried out. “The state consciousness regulates political relations by various bills, programs, constitutions, etc. At this level of political consciousness, the existing political orders and principles of governance are most consistently defended.

2. The theoretical level is represented by various kinds of concepts, ideas, views of a political nature. Policy awareness on theoretical level allows:

a) set and solve the most important political goals and objectives, both fundamental (strategic) and current (tactical);

b) determine the means and methods of achieving them;

c) determine the directions and ways of organizational and political support for solving urgent problems;

d) develop conceptual approaches to social control over the implementation of political decisions and target programs;

e) adjust the policy based on practical experience.

3. The empirical level is based on direct practice, participation in the political process of various social communities. This level reflects political reality in the form of sensations, illusions, experiences, ideas.

4. The ordinary level is closely related to the empirical level, but at the same time, in comparison with it, it has a number of differences. So, the empirical level characterizes the practical experience of the subject. The ordinary level characterizes the totality of ideas arising directly from everyday life, the views of a social class, a social stratum or a group of people. The ordinary level of political consciousness differs from the empirical one in the presence of ideological and theoretical elements. This level is characterized by pronounced social and psychological traits: moods, feelings, emotions. This gives it special dynamism, the ability to react sensitively to changes in the political situation. Political consciousness appears in various forms.

A specialized political consciousness is, as a rule, an ideologically homogeneous consciousness. The main thing in this form is the development, development and introduction into the consciousness of ordinary representatives of the social class, social group, etc. certain orientations and attitudes. The bearers of specialized consciousness are, first of all, political parties and other political organizations and associations.

Mass political consciousness indirectly expresses the level and content of society's needs. It also reflects the nature of society's knowledge of political reality. The mass political consciousness is very dynamic. It is influenced by many factors: various social upheavals, the content of a specific historical situation, and much more.

With the emergence of politics as essential element civilization, the functions and role of political consciousness were not assessed unambiguously. On the one hand, historical experience and logic require the recognition of the obvious fact that political consciousness is formed as a result of a complex evolution of political institutions, which is influenced by previous traditions of public participation, the nature of socialization, forms of education and many other factors. On the other hand, already in antiquity, with the emergence of the first schools of thought, a phenomenon emerged that K. Popper called “historical ideology”.

The essence of this phenomenon lies in the claims of philosophers and ideologists who resort to historical prophecies to discover the universal laws of history and politics, in accordance with which society should develop. Hence the conviction that the systems of political philosophy have a decisive influence on political consciousness, determining the nature of political behavior and participation.

Models of political consciousness of this kind, which can be classified as elite, exaggerate and absolutize the influence of philosophical ideas on belief systems, morals and institutions. Supporters of these models argue that all significant political upheavals of modern times, for example, the American and French revolutions of the 18th century. and the revolution in Russia in 1917, are the result of the introduction of the ideas of constitutionalism, liberalism, socialism into the public consciousness.

The influence of these ideas was indeed enormous, especially in the period preceding the aforementioned political upheavals.At the same time, there is a lot of evidence confirming that various versions of political philosophy themselves were one of the means of rationalizing already established political traditions, belief systems and social practice. For example, the formation of American political institutions in the period preceding the War of Independence, the formation of the United States and the adoption of the Constitution, took place under the influence of English traditions and legal norms, as well as general Christian concepts of earthly power in combination with the principles of “natural law. as much with practical experience as with this or that philosophical system. The ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau and Hume, well known to the authors of the draft US constitution, were used not as starting points for creating something new, but rather as arguments confirming the correctness of what the Americans came to empirically.

In the same way, the revolution in Russia did not occur as a result of the introduction of different shades political consciousness into the "proletarian masses", as Lenin believed, as a result of the acute crisis caused by the world war. In the course of the revolution itself, traditions dating back to peasant uprisings and riots of the 17th-18th centuries were clearly manifested. Marx's ideas were only the "upper layer" with the help of which the official ideology of an autocratic bureaucratic regime was formed, which did not at all correspond to the initial principles of Marxist socialism.

Both the pictures of the world developed by philosophers and the already established political institutions and norms, interacting with subconscious complexes and cognitive mechanisms of the human psyche, create political images in the minds that do not always coincide with political realities. The adequacy of individual (and group) political consciousness to actual relations, of course, depends on the type of personality, the degree of "openness" of consciousness itself, the ability to objectively assess social processes, create various rational projects and conceptual models of politics, or, conversely, perceive politics through the prism of the dichotomy “yours - stranger "," friend - enemy ", etc.

Literature

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