Abstract

Theoretical foundations of local self-government system’s functioning in modern states are investigated in the article. It is noted that the possibility of a local government as a political institution is possible only in democratic countries. Consider local government as an institution of public government allows its determination as the right and ability of territorial communities to manage affairs within its territory, at its discretion, while local governments can be seen as an institution of civil society, because by its nature it is a form of voluntary self-territorial community residents around common issues of the community. This dual nature of local government institution gives him a special role and place in the power system of the modern state, which is manifested in the ability of the latter to be the closest to the human level of government, created by the community people to manage affairs on their behalf. Each country chooses its own model of power in the state, building unique to this country structural relationships between the elements of system. European Charter of Local Self-Government proposes to use the principle of subsidiarity in building relationships between state and local authorities in the countries that have ratified its provisions.