Regulatory and legal support for the institutionalisation of partnership between the state and civil society within the framework of good governance

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of regulatory and legal mechanisms that ensure the institutionalization of interaction between state institutions and civil society institutions in modern democratic systems. The study examines the transformation of the institutional environment under the influence of the global strategy of "good governance", which involves the transition from traditional hierarchical management models to partnership and network forms of interaction between authorities, civil society and other public actors. Particular attention is paid to the process of normative formalization of relations between the state and the civil sector through the conclusion of "partnership agreements", "charters", strategic programs and other documents that define the legal framework of their cooperation. The author conducts a comparative analysis of democratic countries with a high level of institutionalization of partnership (Estonia, Great Britain, Croatia, Canada), where cooperation between the state and civil society is enshrined in the form of special regulatory documents, as well as political systems with a pluralistic model of interaction (USA, France), where comprehensive national agreements are absent. In such countries, interaction between state institutions and public organizations occurs through a system of separate legislative acts, advocacy mechanisms, and the activities of interest groups. The article proves that the normative formality of partnership creates stable institutional channels for civil society participation in public policy development and promotes the legal and systematic participation of public actors in the political decision-making process. Based on the correlation of the indicators of the Civil Society Participation Index (V-Dem), the Global Peace Index, and the Positive Peace Report 2024–2025, it is substantiated that the institutionalization of interaction through agreements contributes to a reduction in the level of social tension and conflict in the political system. It is established that in states with formalized dialogue, protest activity is transformed from violent forms into such institutional mechanisms of participation as citizens' appeals, consultations, and deliberative procedures.