THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN ENSURING DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim of the research is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the peculiarities of the formation and evolution of civil society, to explore its dynamic relationship with the processes of democratisation, and to determine the main vectors and potential pathways for its further development in Ukraine. This analysis is carried out in the context of Ukraine’s integration into the global space and its transition towards a solidarity-based information society. The study seeks to uncover the conceptual foundations and socio-political prerequisites that influence the growth of civil society and to define its role within modern democratic transformations.

The article identifies and examines in detail the key historical stages of the development of civil society, with particular emphasis on the specific features of the digital age as a critical phase in its contemporary formation. The research outlines the influence of digital technologies and information systems on civic engagement, participation, and communication. The interdependence of civil society with the expansion and consolidation of democratic principles is analysed, with special attention given to the principles, forms, and strategic directions of democratisation in Ukraine. The study characterises the principal aspects of this interrelation at the current stage of socio-economic transformation, particularly in the conditions of war and post-war recovery.

Furthermore, the paper highlights problematic issues and essential factors affecting the development of civil society and democracy, such as social cohesion, trust in institutions, civic education, and access to digital infrastructure. It argues that the global and national experience of socio-economic development confirms that a strong civil society grounded in democratic values significantly contributes to the personal development of individuals and the consolidation of national identity and sovereignty. This is especially important in the context of Ukraine’s effort to build a modern, democratic, and inclusive state, where the principles of solidarity and information openness redefine the social landscape and foster the development of a mature, participatory civil society in the post-war period.