PLURALISM OF SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES TO THE DEFINITION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES AND THEIR OFFICIALS

Abstract

The approaches to defining the term «the principle of accountability and responsibility of local self-government bodies and their officials» available in modern jurisprudence have been considered, and the author's definition of the studied concept has been formulated based on the analysis of doctrinal sources. Arguments are given in favor of distinguishing the principles of the first order, i.e., the principles or foundations of the constitutional system, enshrined in Chapter I of the Constitution of Ukraine, and other fundamental ideas enshrined in Chapters II–XV of the Basic Law, which can be correctly called principles. The position of those lawyers who propose to include the principles of local self-government in the text of the Basic Law of the state is supported. It is proposed to amend Art. 140 of the Constitution of Ukraine, to supplement it with a new part, which should contain a list of principles of local selfgovernment, established by the subject of law-making in Art. 4 of the Law of Ukraine «On Local Self- Government in Ukraine». It is substantiated that the existence of such a norm will ensure the constitution of the principles of municipal self-government and their increased stability. A definition of the term «principle of accountability and responsibility of local self-government bodies and their officials» is proposed: this is a legally defined basic, universal idea, an undeniable requirement that is of general significance for state authorities, the population and other legal subjects, is the basis for their functioning and is reduced to the systematic informing of residents of the territorial community about the activities of bodies and officials, provision of periodic reporting to the population, implementation of public control by residents of the territorial community.