“Public” and “political” citizen participation: theoretical approaches
The article presents the author’s point of view on understanding the content characteristics of the category “socio-political participation”. It concludes that in political science this concept is used very limitedly. Leading researchers often use it in combination with the concept of “civic participation”. The essence of the author’s position is that when the subject of scientific research is civil activity or selfless activity of the population of a small town (a large village), it seems appropriate to talk about the relevance of the category “socio-political participation”. In small towns of Russia, useful initiatives coming from citizens and their associations are addressed to a greater or lesser extent to municipal authorities, deputy corps, existing branches of political parties and social movements. Accordingly, people themselves have an opportunity to enter a representative or administrative body and implement their proposals, projects in the practical sphere of public administration.