Decentralization reform in assessments of united territorial communities (hromadas) leaders’: new dimensions of social subjectiveness

Abstract

The article is dedicated to studying of the social nature peculiarities of the new social entity that emerged due to the implementation of the decentralization reform in Ukraine – the united territorial communities (UTC). On the level of sociological theorizing, the authors substantiate the relevance of the «sociological positioning» of the united territorial communities as a new social institution, a new social entity and a new sociocultural form. Based on the results of sociological research with the qualitative methods, the authors distinguish three dimensions / levels of social subjectiveness of the leaders of the united territorial communities as the main representatives of community management – institutional, civic and problem-oriented. Having value and activity-based nature, each of the dimensions of social subjectiveness identified by the researchers finds its manifestation at the dispositional and actualized levels. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of factors that, due to researchers’ beliefs, have influenced on the formation of certain dimensions / levels of subjectiveness of UTC leaders – a voluntary (not administrative) way of community association, new financial opportunities and a direct state-community interaction model. It is emphasized that the united territorial community is simultaneously directly embedded in the system of direct social interactions at different levels of social – from interaction with the state (Ministries) at the macro level, construction of practices at the level of interaction with different social groups (businessmen, farmers, state employees, etc.) at the mesolevel before reaching the micro-level of individual interaction within the community itself. Analyzing the results of this study, the researchers conclude that the decentralization reform has contributed to the internal consolidation of local communities at the level of united territorial communities, the intensification of social interaction between different subjects of the UTC, the formation of new sociocultural forms. The analysis of the dimensions / levels of social subjectiveness of the UTC leaders makes it possible to conclude the positioning of the united territorial communities as effective subjects implementation of other reforms in Ukraine at the regional level.