Problems of the Name and System of Russian Suffrage

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the problem of the name and system of suffrage in modern Russian legal science. The aim of the study is to formulate a new approach to the systematization of Russian suffrage (electoral law). Design/methodology/approach: the paper uses legal-technical, comparative-legal (diachronous and synchronous), historical-legal, and grammatical methods within the framework of a dogmatic approach. The achievements of the theory of representative democracy are being used. Findings: Currently, depending on the context, the concept of “suffrage” is used in various meanings and denotations. It can mean both subjective constitutional law and an institutionalized group of legal norms, one of the legal sciences, and even a legal educational discipline. At the same time, suffrage, in the meaning of subjective constitutional law, also has two meanings: active and passive to elect and be elected. Originality/value: It has been established that there is a discussion among experts regarding the possibility of identifying various structural elements in suffrage, including general and special parts, as well as alternatives to the name of the industry. It is possible to correctly determine the subject of suffrage based on an appropriate understanding of the purpose and social function of elections, the electoral system and related phenomena and processes. Authors in detail consider the prospect of more serious systematization of an electoral right in terms of his interrelation with the referendum right, other groups of precepts of law regulating forms of direct democracy (response, a descent, etc.).