Корупція в Україні: соціально-економічне підґрунтя і шляхи подолання

The article is devoted to the definition of socio-economic determinants of corruption in Ukraine based on the analysis of the concept of the relationship between the state and civil society. This concept is based on the requirements of a market economy. It is stated that corruption is an innate social disease inherent in the state apparatus. The idea is expressed and substantiated that in modern conditions, along with improving the mechanism for bringing the guilty to criminal responsibility, it is more important to determine the socio-economic basis for the emergence, maintenance and growth of corruption. A clear and deeply understood definition of the determining socio-economic factors is a necessary prerequisite for their elimination and neutralization of the negative impact on the development of Ukrainian society. It is argued that the basis for the nourishment and growth of corruption in Ukraine is the post- socialist idea of the functions of the state in society, which has chosen the path of market economic development. When the state must ensure the development of all spheres and the growth of the population’s well-being, which is characteristic of totalitarian regimes, the domination of the state apparatus over civil society and the flourishing of corruption become inevitable. Such a state always seeks to put citizens under control according to its rules, which are not determined by civil institutions. Such rules are established in bureaucratic slums closed to society, which inevitably gives rise to arbitrariness and corruption of the state apparatus. It is precisely the consequence of the arbitrariness of the state apparatus that is the current state of stagnation of Ukraine, its lag in economic and social development compared to other post-socialist countries, in which civil society institutions have received priority. The article proposes ways to overcome the most influential factors of corruption. They are associated with the limitation of the spheres of state administration and the powers of the state apparatus, which negatively affect the development of society. It is stated that their implementation will have difficulties associated not only with the awareness of their necessity, but also with the resistance of the bureaucracy.