Abstract

Purpose of publication – to research the connection between elections and democracy. The research analyzes different approaches of ukrainian and foreign scientists to the problem of defining the essence of democracy as the social order in which the key role for realization the rule of the people play democratic elections. The most attention is paid to the methodological approach to democracy of an american scientist R. Dahl. He enters a concept «poliarchy», five from seven institutional signs of which are directly related to elections. Carrying the democratic character, elections cause the concrete political consequences, as they promote the development of the democratic political regime, realization of rights and freedoms of citizens, realization the people’s interests management. Therefore it is made a considerable accent in research on the highlighting the important functions, that elections play in democratic society: realization of national sovereignty; attracting people to the process of governing; role of social barometer of political life; legitimation of power in the democratic states; decrease of social tension and attaining the public consensus; realization of periodical control of governmental activity; prevent gaining admission of unpopular, incompetent politicians to the power; assistance in increasing the growth of the level of political and law consciousness and culture of citizens; assistance in the representation interests of different community groups; recruitment of political elite; deciding the direction of community development on a certain term. The functions of elections can change and variously work in the different conditions of political realities. In non-democratic countries they will be a screen for the protection the government activity. In democratic countries they will be the attribute of democracy. In countries with sustainable democracy the functions of elections will open up fully. In transitional societies elections can operate fragmentary and temporarily. In homogeneous societies elections will stimulate political competition. In heterogeneous – function of representation and stabilization the political system. Moreover, influence on realization the elections’ functions will produce the form of state rule, state territorial mode, type of the party and electoral system. However, despite everything, democratic elections in modern conditions though are not sufficient, but indispensable prerequisite in functioning of the democratic political regime.