The role of value of justice in civil control over local authorities

The paper deals with one of the fundamental values of life of the Russian society, i.e. social justice. The research investigates justice potential in the field of self-organization of the population and its role in civil control over the authority. Civil control as a form of social practice is caused by not only the objective reasons but also the longstanding behavioral social codes that significantly distinguish Russia from the European civilizations. In the Russian practice, the controlling effect was mainly based on the appeal to the value of justice rather than the law that was atypical for Western culture. Civil society and consolidation are the foundations of justice. This is evidenced by the numerous materials and published studies conducted by research centers. However, the high relevance of justice as a terminal value instead of instrumental one does not allow most citizens to require a rational responsibility of the authority. Uncoordinated knowledge of and attitudes towards the real situation are considered at the value level and are not implemented by citizens in daily life.