THE METHODOLOGICAL BASIS OF STUDYING POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS: HISTORICAL INSTITUTIONALISM AND ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF STATE AUTHORITY INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

In the article author substantiates that the study of the functioning peculiarities of political institutions today can be implemented through the use of broad methodological guidelines, but the general theory of institutionalism remains a priority for most scientists. Historical institutionalism, as a research strategy of new institutionalism, gravitates more towards the analysis of formalized political institutions (such as state authorities), which still have a decisive influence on the political process. The purpose of the study is to analyse the possibilities of applying the methodology of historical institutionalism in relation to the study of the functioning peculiarities of various types state-political institutions. It is about the study of the role of international organizations in global politics, as well as the study of transformational processes in transitional societies and the peculiarities of the development of domestic local entities. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that the use of the historical institutionalism methodology in the research process is of interest because it reveals opportunities not only for retrospective analysis of policy, but also for deriving patterns that would allow forecasting it – which is especially important for the implementation of public policy. To a greater extent, the attention of scientists in this aspect is directed to the consideration of formalized aspects of politics, those institutions and processes of the political system that are primarily related to the implementation of state power (they are functional elements of the state administration system). But the study of the historical basis of mentioned phenomena emergence and development, related to cultural, traditional, informal factors (in the framework of, for example, public history), deepens the disclosure of their meaningful content and can contribute to the achievement of practical results from the political course when implementing the obtained conclusions.