INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES IN UKRAINE AS A DIRECTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY IN CONTEMPORARY STATES

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to examine the relevance of deliberative democracy through the lens of citizens’ assemblies and to explore their impact on democratic transformations in contemporary states. Methods. The methodological framework of the study is based on a combination of general scientific and special research methods. The systems method was used to consider citizens’ assemblies as an integral component of the contemporary system of democratic innovations and mechanisms of citizen participation. The dialectical method was applied to analyse the development and transformation of deliberative democracy and its interaction with traditional representative democracy. The structural-functional method made it possible to examine the organisational features of citizens’ assemblies, the principles underlying the formation of their membership, and their functional role in public governance processes. The modelling method was employed to develop theoretically grounded approaches to integrating the institution of citizens’ assemblies into the Ukrainian system of political and legal relations, taking into account the specific features of national democratic development. Results. The current stage of democratic development is characterised by a transformation of established perceptions regarding the forms and mechanisms through which popular sovereignty is exercised. Despite retaining its fundamental importance for the functioning of democratic states, the traditional model of representative democracy reveals a number of limitations under contemporary conditions. These limitations are primarily associated with the insufficient level of direct citizen involvement in the processes of developing and adopting publicly significant decisions.One of the mechanisms for safeguarding modern democracy is the citizens’ assembly, as a form of deliberative democracy. Conclusions. Citizens’ assemblies represent one of the institutional forms of deliberative democracy, providing a space for open dialogue, reasoned discussion of pressing issues, particularly at the local level, and consideration of diverse societal perspectives in the search for appropriate solutions. The development of democratic innovations should proceed dynamically while remaining conceptually balanced in order to respond effectively to the shortcomings inherent in traditional institutions of representative democracy. The further institutionalisation and dissemination of such innovative mechanisms may help address existing democratic deficiencies and strengthen the relationship between society and public governance processes. If properly developed and implemented, democratic innovations have the potential not only to reduce public concerns regarding the future of democratic systems but also to create new opportunities for their modernisation, restore public trust, and meet citizens’ democratic expectations.