Decentralization reform in Ukraine: main directions and priorities
In this article the author aims to analyze the essence of the legal bases of decentralization reform in Ukraine on the basis of conceptualization of theoretical principles and determination of priority directions of decentralization of power. The author notes that decentralization is one of the priority principles of the organization and functioning of public power and acts as a strategically determined vector of modern state policy; it is one of the components of almost all sectoral reforms. The article emphasizes that decentralization issues attract the attention of researchers from completely different scientific fields. However, either in theory or in practice there is no single unified concept of decentralization and its individual components, types, models. In the study the author came to the conclusion that, despite the multidimensionality of the concept of decentralization, the breadth of classification of its types, forms, models, the essence and content of this process should, above all, put two main aspects. First, the separation of powers and responsibilities between central, regional and local government, and second, the empowerment of citizens to address political, economic and social problems. Analyzing the basic approaches to decentralization, the author made the following conclusions: the state can carry out decentralization of power in the interests of the population, on the basis of law, transferring part of the powers of executive bodies to local self-government bodies; decentralization of powers must take into account the principle of subsidiarity.