Ochlocracy is a form of governmentdevice, which is considered to be degenerate democracy. This is an intermediate form that exists after the fall of the old state system and before the establishment of a new one.
Ochlocrades are characterized by riots, street riots and rallies, during which anarchism is promoted. In this regard, this form of government is called the power of the crowd.
A bit of history
Охлократия - это власть толпы и черни.This is how the ancient Greek historian Polybius characterized this form of power. He believed that this is the worst version of government. Aristotle, in turn, describes this phenomenon as democracy. However, he noted that the people are not able to make rational decisions. As a result, educated leaders were removed from power, anarchy and despotism were established.
Many learned minds have considered such a phenomenonlike ochlocracy. This is undoubtedly a negative point, but it can only be assessed with historical examples. For example, signs of ochlocracy can be traced in the French Revolution, as well as the first years after the arrival of Soviet power. And even in the Roman Empire some elements of this form of power were present. This was manifested in the fact that the army independently overthrew and appointed monarchs.
The main signs ohlokratii
Ochlocracy is one of the most controversial forms of government. It has the following main features:
- socio-political groups are coming to power;
- populist sentiments and primitive ideas are imposed on society;
- powerlessness and arbitrariness in all spheres of public life;
- conditions for mass riots are intentionally created;
- trampling on the value of human life;
- crisis in the economy and other areas.
Modern ochlocracy
The ideal of modern governmentconsidered democracy. Ochlocracy as an independent phenomenon is practically not considered, but some of its signs are sometimes traced. Moreover, ochlocracy complements many democratic regimes. Most often this occurs in times of crisis.
Ochlocracy democracy occurs whenthe old political norms have become obsolete, and nothing new has been proposed to society. The crowd, fueled by populist speeches of some adventurous leaders, requires a change of policy. The peculiarity of modern ochlocracy is that public discontent is mainly created artificially through scandals and provocations.
Основной движущей силой выступают общественные layers dissatisfied with the current situation. As a rule, these are simple people who are under pressure from social and economic problems. Against this background, new leaders are emerging, as well as spontaneous organizations that often engage in criminal activities.
Operating principle
The main authority of the ochlocracy is an angry mob. Rule the "worst", which are guided by such basic principles:
- Intellectuals and other educated people become unwanted, subject to expulsion, humiliation or physical destruction.
- Strict ban on publications, speeches, artwork and other sources of information that promote ideas to the masses that are supported by the ruling elites.
- Substitution of concepts. As a result, what was previously considered honorable and best becomes unacceptable and shameful.
- Forming groups of easily manageable peoplewhich will perform the function of terror, persecution or physical destruction of the dissent. Moreover, this includes not only the ideological population. Many are involved in contract riots.
- The widespread use of violence, which is performed by a disgruntled crowd, but is provoked and directed by leaders.
- Impunity becomes synonymous with freedom. Thus, those actions that were previously considered criminal gain legal coloring under the guise of high ideas of public justice.
Modern manifestations
Ochlocracy is the power of the crowd. No matter how crazy it may sound, this phenomenon has a place in the modern world. The manifestations may be as follows:
- Color revolution is artificially created.a situation in which a disgruntled crowd becomes an instrument in achieving certain goals. Public outcry accumulates in spontaneous protests that are provoked and funded by external forces. Such phenomena are especially common in the post-Soviet space.
- Multi-party system is also certainochlocracy form. So, in the 90s there were several thousand political associations. As a result, a huge number of people who pursued selfish goals and were not guided by high political ideas gained access to power.
- Destructive vertical leads to the fact thatparts of the state seek independence. The most striking example is the USSR after perestroika. But in modern Russia there were precedents for the declaration of independence by some republics.
What is the danger ochlocracy?
Ochlocracy as a form of power is quite dangerous.phenomenon. It sows chaos, devastation and lawlessness, which brings a lot of disasters to the life of the population. The rights and freedoms of citizens are no longer guaranteed. And even elementary security cannot be ensured.
As for the state itself, with the arrival of the ochlocracy, its sovereignty and existence are put at risk. This form of power symbolizes the collapse and the crisis of the political system.
Conclusion
Summing up, it is worth saying that ochlocracyhas long ceased to be just the power of the crowd. This is a way for marginalized individuals to realize their ambitions. There are also mercantile goals of individual members of the ruling elites. The fertile ground for this is the lack of a healthy state development concept and clear goals.
