Interactions of urban dwellers with powers: competent participation and problem of intermediaries

Interactions of urban dwellers with powers:
competent participation and problem of intermediaries


Klimova S.G.

Cand. Sci. (Philos.), Leading Researcher, Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia sgklimova@mail.ru

Klimov I.A.

ID of the Article: 5190


For citation:

Klimova S.G., Klimov I.A. Interactions of urban dwellers with powers: competent participation and problem of intermediaries. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2015. No 4. P. 51-57




Abstract

The article – based on empirical sociological research – shows that the issue of effective interaction between organized and unorganized activists with local authorities – is, first and foremost, their ability to form own social subjectivity, to respond to the expectations and demands of the community. Identified are components of competent participation that contribute to successful dialogue of community members with the authorities. Role and functions of intermediaries – mediators between social activists and authorities are analyzed. Conclusion is made that authorities’ desire to strictly control scope of civil initiatives leads to alienation, apathy, and spontaneous outbursts of discontent.


Keywords
civic engagement; authorities; officials; activists; alienation; competent participation; the mediators
Content No 4, 2015