Doctrinal approaches and methods of research on the activities of political parties
Authors:   Lipetsk State Technical University, Korolyova E. V. , Pachina N. N. ,   Lipetsk State Technical University
Published: June 2024

The correct definition of the methodological basis of the study is a prerequisite for its success. The methods of cognition are determined by the object that is selected in the framework of the study. The article pays attention to the issues of determining the method of studying the activities of political parties, which should be understood as a process in which the result is the achievement of goals. In turn, the activities of political parties are realized through the performance of certain functions. The list of functions of political parties can be formulated on the basis of an analysis of the current legislation regulating relations in this area, as well as by identifying the features of the activities of political parties through the prism of political science. The following functions of political parties should be recognized as the most important: ideological, which is expressed in the formation of the political will of the population; articulatory, associated with the expression of the formed political will by fixing it in the party program, sending appeals to state bodies, public organizations, etc.; political, aimed at participating in elections, referendums, etc.; representative, which they are implemented by representing and ensuring compliance with the interests of the electorate in interaction with various institutions of the state. The methodology of scientific research on the activities of political parties should be based on the integrated application of methods of various branches of science. First of all, the methods of political science and legal sciences should be noted. The study of political parties from the point of view of the approaches of political sciences will allow analyzing the concepts of the emergence of political parties, the peculiarities of their functioning in the social and political conditions of various states, as well as other aspects of the activity of this phenomenon of socio-political life. However, the analysis of the functioning of political parties cannot be carried out only within the framework of political sciences, the legal aspects of their activities are also essential. Within the framework of research on the activities of political parties, the political and legal method is one of the basic ones that allows analyzing not only the evaluation criteria of the activities of political parties, but also determining the impact of existing legal norms on the activities of a political party and its practical implementation. Among the legal methods of research, first of all, we apply the comparative legal method, which allows us to analyze the features of the activities of political parties in various historical periods. The application of the comparative legal method is of particular relevance, taking into account the experience of our state in regulating the interaction of the state with political parties, primarily during the existence of the USSR. For the completeness of the analysis of the activities of political parties, it is also necessary to use psychological methods that will reveal the characteristics of the behavior of leaders and their influence on the popularity of a political party, the level of public confidence. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a political party's activities should also be carried out through an analysis of its goals and objectives, their compliance with the objective needs of society, as well as by identifying the level of trust of the electorate in a particular political force.Achieving these tasks is possible through the use of sociological methods, such as statistical method, method of collecting and analyzing information, interviewing. These methods will reveal the attitude of the public towards a political party, its program, put forward tactical installations, etc. Сonclusion, it is concluded that there is a fairly wide list of methods for studying the detail of political parties, while methods of various levels and industry affiliation are applicable. However, it is noted that the application, first of all, of the political and legal method is justified.