State and public-political democracy: historical and modern context

The article presents a brief analysis of the phenomenon of democracy in its historical and contemporary context. The author emphasizes that democracy has several dimensions that express its essence and presents the evolution of its basic forms from antiquity to our time. The article characterizes the direct, plebiscitary and representative democracy with their advantages and disadvantages and shows interrelation and interdependence of state and public-political democracy, democratic institutions of the state and civil society and their role in the development of society.