THE IMPERATIVE MANDATE AS A MECHANISM FOR POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

The article explores the imperative mandate as a potential tool for enhancing the political responsibility of subjects in representative bodies of power within the context of the crisis phenomena of modern democracy. The relevance of the topic is determined by the increasing political irresponsibility, which correlates with a decline in the quality of political governance, a crisis of public trust in institutions, the growth of protest sentiments, and societal polarization. The aim of the article is to analyze the imperative mandate as a means of ensuring real, not formal, accountability of representatives, to identify critical concerns regarding its implementation, and to seek alternative approaches to strengthening political responsibility. The paper conducts a theoretical analysis of the concepts of political responsibility, free and imperative mandates, examines their historical evolution and reflection in the constitutional legislation of various countries. A comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of both types of mandates is carried out. Particular attention is paid to the study of the practice of the partyimperative mandate and its impact on the accountability of deputies, as well as the analysis of the possibilities of applying the institution of recall of elected officials. Critically assessing the traditional view on the incompatibility of the imperative mandate with democratic principles, the author refers to the modern scientific discourse that rethinks its potential role in the context of the crisis of representative democracy. The conclusions of the article emphasize the need for a balanced approach to the issue of political responsibility, combining elements of accountability with a sufficient level of independence of representatives.