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SUBJECT 4. THE NECESSITY OF A "PERIOD OF TRANSITION" IN ESTABLISHING A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY IN UZBEKISTAN. ITS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS.

1. The concept of transition period, its essence and necessity
2. Transition period "models" and their characteristics
3. Specific features of the transition to a democratic society in Uzbekistan

The transition period is one of the topical issues in the system of topics of socio-political sciences. Because countries cannot reach their high levels of development without going through certain intermediate stages. The study of this "intermediate" stage is not only theoretical, but also practical. However, as an independent topic, it has been scientifically studied very little in socio-political and economic literature. The main reason for this is that it remains difficult to define its exact "criterion" and the issue of its "end" (deadline) with its starting point. In addition, some scientists believe that until the development of society reaches the level of civil society, they only experience the "transition period", which is a continuous process, while others believe that it is "more important" to study the processes in it than the duration and essence of the "transition period" - they emphasize that. So, in Uzbekistan, the period of transition to a democratic society requires perfect learning. Because, without defining the criteria of its beginning and the last "end", it is impossible to develop clear conceptual ideas about the processes that occur or may occur in the life of society. Why do these processes happen differently in different countries? Why do they expire at different times in each country? What will be the balance of power during the transition period? the answer to these questions can be answered only by studying it as an independent subject in harmony with democratic processes. This process is typical for all countries. Because even the most developed countries of the world are experiencing it.

In this sense, its study has both theoretical and practical significance for Uzbekistan, which is currently experiencing a "transitional period". After all, its study allows us to have clear ideas about the levels of processes that take place in the society we are building and to determine the ways to reach it.
The transition period is a special "intermediate" period that occurs on the way to high development of all countries.
It is a common law for any country. Because states cannot rise to a high level of development as soon as they are created, but each state is first formed and goes through certain stages of historical development. It is known that the processes of emergence, development and rise to a high level of each state have been studied by scientists and the study continues today. But what is "Transition" itself? Why is it called transitional? - the perfect answer to the questions is one of the least studied problems in our scientific literature. Accordingly, it is impossible to clearly imagine the development features of our country without studying it perfectly. After all, the process of transition from one economic, socio-political system to another in countries that are highly developed or less developed or are just beginning to develop is a phenomenon that cannot be repeated. True, there are also general laws for the transition period that are typical for all countries. They are manifested in the change of political power, the implementation of economic reforms, the formation of a new way of thinking and lifestyle. However, their implementation is closely related to the mentality of the states and the people living in them. So why is that? Is it not possible to use ready-made templates or "models" in the process of transition to implement the final goal? Or is it impossible to achieve high development without passing through a certain historical stage?
In order to find answers to such questions, there is a growing need to develop a comprehensive concept that incorporates the views of the transition period. Especially, this need is due to the diversity that is happening in the development of countries, the emergence of problems on its soil and the importance of the uniqueness factor in the process of developing methods for solving them.
In fact, what should be understood by the theory of transition? Transition is a system of different views about it. Based on them, generalized theories are formed. views are different, they can even be opposite to each other. Most importantly, scientific conclusions are developed based on their analysis. The scientific nature of conclusions is expressed in their transformation into material power. That is, the theoretical views about the transition period will rise to the level of a scientific conclusion only if they are expressed in real life and bear fruit in practice. In this sense, the theory of the transition period is understood as a system of views formed about the result of the intermediate stages necessary for the transition of countries from a certain social development to another.
This definition is the basis for studying the essence of the transition period It came about as a result of formed views. Despite the fact that there are different opinions about the transition period, since the definitions formed on the basis of bringing it into one system and generalization are hardly found today, it should be considered that the possibility of comparing the definition given above with others to the "theory of the transition period" is limited.
Taking this into account, it will be possible to determine the essence of the thoughts about the transition period itself and develop relevant theories based on its conclusions.
Leonid Levitin, a German scientist who commented on the transitional period, writes: "Usually, the words "transition period" are understood exactly and they think that it is today between the past and the future. According to such views, the past is the cause, and the future is the goal in the emergence of the "transition period".⁶⁸
There is another important conclusion of this author that deserves attention. In particular, he writes: "Naturally, transition periods are full of various irregular processes, absurdities. Someone described such times as "a bridge over a river".⁶⁹
According to S. Abdukholikov, "social development takes place in the form of transition from one civilization to another, from the first type of cultural existence to the second type of cultural existence."⁷⁰
Depending on the area in which the transition from a totalitarian system to a democratic society takes place, it will be possible to determine its meaning. The transition to the stage of democratic development, given its inevitability, cannot be denied its necessity. Because society, like a human being, cannot rise to a high level of perfection from the moment it is created, but it needs to go through certain stages. The whole issue is related to determining the specificity of these stages, the scope of problems that will exist in them, and developing the mechanisms for solving them. However, this is not an easy task. Because the transition of society from one stage to another involves solving a wide range of tasks. In their implementation, it is necessary to take into account not only objective, but also subjective factors. Their transition weight is dependent on each other. Therefore, when thinking about the transition period, it is not limited to the transition of the society to the system of democratic principles, but also the "interval" necessary for the transition of societies from one stage to another.
Of course, such an approach to the problem is devoid of a formative approach consisting of the emergence, struggles between them and the establishment of one or another class rule, and it requires a civilizational approach to the development of society. That is, the transition of society from one stage to another is the idea of defining the center and criteria of the levels of changes that occur in human life, in his thinking, in the material, political, and spiritual-educational life of society.
Today, views on the period as a whole, including the transitional period, have fundamentally changed, they are fundamentally based on the specific values of our time. As Professor I.Ergashev rightly stated, "The view of today's era is fundamentally different from the traditional single ideological view according to its content and essence. With the collapse of the Mustabid regime, the politicized, ideological content and character of the era was ended."⁷¹. Therefore, it is correct to look at the "transition period" as a concept that combines political, philosophical, economic and spiritual-educational spheres and analyze it in this direction.
Only such a set of views fully expresses the essence of the transition period. Of course, it should be noted that the issue of the transitional period - from what to what or from which society to another - is being discussed by world scientists. Especially today, when the formative approach to the stages of society's development (as mentioned above) has ended, attention is being paid to promoting various concepts in order to clarify this issue.
In particular, the American sociologist Daniel Bell divides social development into the following three stages:
1. Agrarian society
2. Industrial society
3. Industrial or information society.
On the basis of his classification of society, production technology of society, service provision, household life and livelihood, which determine the effective impact on production, according to him, many countries in the world today are in a state of transition from industrial society to information society⁷². Along with the industrial and post-industrial society, some European scientists called the "New" society (P. Draker), the "Post-modernized" society (J.F. Liotara), and then the "New industrialized society" Dj. Galbraith, then "developed" society, etc.
In general, in their theories, the role and place of man in society, and in others, they embody the changes that took place under the influence of the development of knowledge and technology related to democracy in the transition period⁷³.
Summarizing the opinions of the above-mentioned scientists, it can be said that; firstly, regardless of what it is called, society develops with a process of transition from one stage to another in its development, and secondly, the main indicator of the transition from one stage of development to another is not a material factor, but a change in people's living conditions.
Connecting the transition period only with the levels of material factors - does not fully express its essence. Accordingly, it is also important to determine the role of political factors influencing positive or negative changes.
It is possible to understand the nature of the transition period only when any changes in society are considered in the context of the integration of economic, socio-political and spiritual spheres: while the transition of the development of transitional countries from one socio-economic stage to another is a general law, the transition process is also manifested differently in each of them. . The main commonality common to all of them is that due to the failure of the old one to meet the needs of development, it creates the need to move to a new stage. In this sense, the main direction in the period of transition is not "going back", but "going forward", rising from the bottom to the top or rising from the previous level, development.
Despite various attempts to preserve the old system, bloodshed, and various tragedies that befall the people, regardless of the degree to which they occur, the main direction of the transition period will remain unchanged. In this sense, one can agree with the following opinion of Leonid Levitin. "The post-communist transition period is just one of the manifestations of the transition period. Such periods have rarely happened in the history of mankind. No matter how much they differ from each other with significant differences, their main meaning is the same - to modernize the society, its economy, politics, and culture.⁷⁴ - writes. However, it will be necessary to find an answer to the question, by which measurement criterion should this "modernization" be based. After all, "time" is just a changing, rapidly moving process. Looking at the issue from this point of view, are there criteria for the end of the transition period, or is it a continuous process like "time"? - questions arise.
In fact, according to our conceptual idea that in our definition above, it is a special stage of the state's development that is necessary for the transition from one socio-economic system to another, the transition period is also a special stage in this sense. Of course, it will come to an end after a certain period of time, and the society will begin to live in a new stage of development than before.
We need to clearly imagine and understand such a process. Otherwise, it would lead to the false conclusion that humanity lives in transition, and that this is a process without an end.
Due to independence, Uzbekistan's gradual transition from totalitarianism to a democratic society is no exception. However, the end of the opportunities of the development process based on the achievements of the society, its inability to meet the growing needs, creates the need to raise the society to a new level. So, first of all, the transition period can be defined as the period from the end of development based on the opportunities that the society has achieved, from the failure to satisfy growing needs, to the emergence of higher opportunities.
Secondly, the term of the "transition period" or, more precisely, the "intermediate" stage from one socio-economic, political system to another ends with the manifestation of this new development process.
Thirdly, humanity does not live only in a "transition period", but also has its beginning as well as its beginning. The same "stem" makes it possible to distinguish one level of development or one system from another. Therefore, democratic development connects this opportunity with human interests. In such conditions, stable "operation" of "mechanisms" existing in various spheres of the socio-economic, political system, newly created according to the needs and levels of development of the time, is realized. To be more specific, the process of sustainable development takes place in the life of the state. From this point of view, it is possible to agree with the opinion of Leonid Levitin regarding the transition period in the post-communist space as a criterion of "modernization". "... the period until modernization reaches a certain end, that is, until the country reaches the levels of stable economic development and political stability, is called the "transition period"⁷⁵ - is correct only if viewed from the point of view of time. After all, the full provision of people's needs and the rise of the development of the society to a high level will be realized only when the civil society is built. However, it is not correct from a scientific point of view to look at the civil society as a "final destination" that can satisfy the needs of humanity, has risen to the highest level of society and does not need its further development. Because only the emergence of a need creates the need for development. The moment it stops, progress stops.
In this sense, it is difficult to say that any country in the world lives in the conditions of a full civil society.
That is why today humanity looks at the civil society as its ideal and is active in building it.
When we think about the "transitional period", it should be emphasized that the inability of all systems up to civil society to fully satisfy people's interests and needs creates the need for their objective transition from the first to the second. This, in turn, begins the period of transition to a new regime.
However, the transition to a new society based on democratic principles is distinguished by a number of specific features. They are:
First, in some countries, democratic processes are formed within the new regime, and this was reflected in its activities to ensure a comfortable life for the people. It is true that this process will not be smooth, but it will be very complicated, and it can lead to huge losses. Choosing the right way in solving these complex problems, that is, focusing the development of the society on the interests of the people, leads to the transformation into a society that provides full human rights and freedoms;
Secondly, the transition period does not end with the emergence of high-level material opportunities, but is a process related to the degree to which they are aimed at ensuring the well-being of the people and the provision of human freedoms. They depend not only on the geographical factor of the countries, but also on the harmony with the political culture and mentality of the population living in this country. All these are experiences formed and developed in the stages of historical development.
Meanwhile, to date, an independent fundamental theory of transition has not been developed. As a result of this, the behavior of the countries to move to a democratic society without crossing a certain historical stage is happening. This in turn causes great tragedies in their lives in some cases. Also, it is impossible to "export" democratic processes "from abroad" to some countries. Such attempts can lead to instability in the country and its backwardness from development. Instead of "exporting" democracy to such countries, it is necessary to create conditions for its formation. In short, the "transition period" is not a socio-economic-political system, but a historical intermediate stage that takes place to form the necessary ground for the transition of countries to them. Only when its beginning is related to political changes, which are first of all in the countries, and changes in the economic, social and spiritual spheres, the newly created society will fully reveal its potential. "Transition period" is necessary for all socio-economic and political systems, no matter how different it is about its specific features and uniqueness. Because it is an opportunity to prepare the ground for every emerging society. This ground is not only economic, therefore it is necessary to "adapt" the society members themselves to the new society.
This makes it necessary to analyze the experience of several models of transition.
The general theoretical issues of the concept of the transition period, its nature and necessity require the study of specific features of various "models" of the transition to a society operating on the basis of democratic principles at the stages of human development in various socio-political and economic sciences.
It is known that the transition of socio-political and economic stages based on totalitarianism to a democratic society is a very complicated process. Its complexity lies in the fact that the stages of development that took place until then were formed one inside the other as an objective need, even if the form of the state and its socio-economic relations changed, in essence it was still aimed at keeping the masses in obedience and ruling over them. Another feature of them is the principle that the masses are for the state.
In a democratic society, first of all, the political system will be fundamentally changed, the government will be implemented with the direct or indirect participation of the people, and based on the priority of the principle that the people are not for the state, but the state is for the people, the state will be different. ruvi will be fulfilled.
In this sense, the process of transition to a democratic society takes place as a result of fundamental changes in all spheres of the state.
In the transition to a democratic society, the existing mechanisms of the state will be abolished in the political sphere. Mechanisms that can meet the interests of the society being built in its place are formed. In the economic sphere, market relations are decided. In development, general economic development takes place on the basis of the public being able to freely satisfy their material interests. In the spiritual and educational sphere, the human factor, its value rises to a high level of value. Thanks to such processes, the development of society based on high intellectual power becomes a reality.
That is why today the countries of the world look at the democratic society as their ideal. He is active in creating it. But there are no clear patterns, or more precisely, "models" of the transition to a democratic society that are unique to all countries, and there cannot be. Because each country differs not only in its structure, levels of economic development, capabilities, intellectual capabilities, but also in the mentality, lifestyle, traditions and values of its people. They can never be pigeonholed. Historical experience has confirmed that trying to do it not only does not have any effect, but also can lead to serious consequences. At the same time, there are laws of the transition to a democratic society that are common to all countries. In particular, the reform of the political system, the formation of market relations, the creation of conditions for the manifestation of one's inner potential, the priority of high intellectual potential in the development of society, and a number of other laws are common to all countries striving to build a democratic society. But the general laws do not deny the transition to a democratic society, taking into account the uniqueness of all countries. On the contrary, it allows to solve them with a steady step, having a deep understanding of the meaning of the problems that will exist during the transition period.
The transition to a democratic society is understood as the time between different regimes (totalitarianism, capitalism, military dictatorship, etc.) and the opportunity to develop on the basis of democratic principles. At the same time, economic, socio-political and spiritual-educational opportunities necessary for a democratic society will be created. The beginning and end of the "intermediate" period is the most important of the transitional issues. Because today this issue has not been resolved in the scientific literature. Not clarifying it does not allow us to know where the beginning and end of the "transition period" is. True, the transition period is characterized by the occurrence of fundamental changes in economic life and political power in two directions, ultimately leading to a democratic society, and the beginning of reforms in the social and spiritual-educational spheres based on it. The end of the transition period will be associated with the full realization of democratic principles.
Based on the experiences of the transition period of developing countries based on democratic principles, it can be noted that three main ways or "models" of transition have been formed.
The first is the classic traditional way. "Classical way" means the first form of transition of humanity to the path of democratic development and the model based on its effectiveness in the development of most countries in the world. The characteristic feature of this path is that the transition of the country to a democratic society will take place without the intervention of external forces, relying on its own internal capabilities. Another key feature of this path is that it takes place over a long historical period. No matter how many crises occur in the political sphere during the transition period, the main transition reforms will begin to be implemented in the economic sphere. An important event in this area is the determination of private ownership. The successful implementation of this event will allow the implementation of reforms in other spheres of the country's life, especially in the socio-political and spiritual and cultural spheres.
A characteristic feature of such a process in the classical way of the transition period is that the development of private ownership in the economic sphere provides an opportunity to provide employment to the majority of the population. But the fact that a part of the main material wealth accumulates in people, and others become dependent on it, can cause major crises in the country's internal life, and even civil wars. This process will continue until the actions of property owners towards ensuring the well-being of the population begin to bear fruit. On the basis of these processes, the political consciousness of the population also grows. To achieve their rights desire to work increases. This, in turn, affects the emergence and growth of democratic processes in the country's political life.
The beginning of the transitional classical path occurs due to the fact that the high stage of capitalist relations does not allow it to progress without reforms in the economy.
The reason why this path is called the classical (traditional) path is that the transition of countries to a democratic society was initially manifested in this way. Most of today's highly developed countries followed this path. This process lasted for two, two and a half centuries in European countries, because the classical way was associated with issues such as the number of problems, the complexity of their solution, the population getting "accustomed" to this process. Within this period, democratic values are formed in the countries on the basis of achievements in the economic sphere, and the processes of civil society improvement continue in them today.
The second is the revolutionary way of transition to a democratic society. Its characteristic feature is that the large economic potential created in the states is based on the fact that the lifestyle of the majority of the population is relatively high. That is, the current form of power will collapse and a new form of power and its infrastructure will appear in its place, which tends to develop democratic processes. They, in turn, will carry out drastic reforms in economic life. In particular, the current national currency will be canceled (broken). This requires looking for the possibilities of the conditions for carrying out economic reforms. As a result of this, the money and funds in the hands of the population lose their value, and the development of democratic processes takes place in the economic life as well as in the political life of the country. This road is very dangerous.
Among the main factors necessary for the revolutionary path:
a) survival of the buds of private property under the conditions of the former regime;
b) the existence of buds of democratic values;
c) sufficient intellectual capacity capable of rebuilding the country's life on the basis of democratic principles;
g) aspects such as the fact that a certain part of the population is at least "inclined" to this democratic process is a decisive factor. Each of them is of special importance for the revolutionary path. Take, for example, the role of the intellectual. They are the main force behind every change in the country's life. The people trust and follow them more than the authorities. In this sense, they organize the masses and direct them to democratic processes. At the same time, the intellectual himself must be raised to the level of organized power, able to cope with solving the complex problems of democratic processes.
A characteristic feature of an intellectual is that he, more than other social classes, tends to anticipate the processes occurring in the life of society and can stand at the forefront of these changes. Or the fact that a certain part of the population needs to be (prone) to the complex conditions in the transition period of the country is also of special importance for a democratic society. In this process, as long as the population is only an observer in solving complex problems, and does not actively participate in solving them, the revolutionary path will have no effect. On the contrary, the revolutionary path will cause the country to lag behind development. The unanimity of intellectuals in these drastic changes necessitates that they become organized organizations and driving forces.
If these factors are not given sufficient attention in the democratization of society, the revolutionary path will not bear its fruit. Such European countries as Poland, Hungary, the German Democratic Republic, Bulgaria and Russia are following this path. This way of transition to democracy is not suitable for the East. However, the need for a revolutionary path remains to some extent. The revolutionary path makes a sharp turn in the political life of a democratic society. In the political system of countries, a completely new form of governance is emerging. In the economy, in the privatization of state property, in the spiritual and educational sphere, the abrupt implementation of the old ideology causes a number of problems. However, they were realized in the form of aggravation of internecine struggles, up to the occurrence of bloodshed in some countries. Taking into account how complicated this path is and how it can lead to great crises in the country's life, each country can implement it only based on its own characteristics and capabilities.
The third way of transition to a democratic society is the evolutionary or gradual way. Its characteristic feature is that when the current political power in the country is terminated and a new power is established in its place, the old one is terminated gradually and with restraint, rather than abruptly, with one "blow". will be Even some of their possibilities are used. In the same process, economic reforms were carried out and new relations were formed in this direction. The peculiarity of this path is the development of spiritual and educational spheres on the basis of new needs in harmony with the reforms in political and economic life.
So why the need for a gradual, gradual transition? If it is a gradual transition, how is it different from the classic path? Did it gradually transition to a democratic society?
Of course, there are aspects of the evolutionary path that differ from the classical (traditional) path. They consist of:
First, in the classical way, democratic values arise within the existing society. The development of the functioning system is aimed at meeting the needs of the common people. Its peculiarity is that it is in the interests of both parties. In such a situation, democratic values "enlighten" social-political relations of development and become a factor of ensuring people's well-being. At present, most countries are affirming that the evolutionary path is the only correct way to destroy the rule of totalitarianism or dictatorships. This path, which is typical for the transition to democracy of moderately developed countries, is also related to the fact that there were no opportunities to make drastic changes in the life of the countries.
Secondly, while the classical transition required a change in the worldview of the population, it was extremely difficult to "adjust" it to democracy with one "blow" because totalitarianism was a society that completely subjugated the public's mind to its own interests. Because changing consciousness is not a short-term process, it happens in accordance with changes in the life of society.
It is also common law that this process will be carried out gradually in countries where the agricultural sector is the leader, and the industrial production is less developed. Because the political culture of the population in such countries lags behind the need for drastic changes.
Thirdly, in the conditions of capitalist relations typical for the classical transition, the old regime does not pose a threat during the transition to democracy, but it begins to "give way" to the new democratic relations that are developing.
And totalitarianism poses a threat to new democratic processes. Because the relations formed during his reign, which relied on power and the spiritual and educational potential, resist the development of democratic processes. Of course, it cannot be ignored.
At the same time, taking into account the development levels of the country, the mentality, customs and values of the people are great possibilities of the evolutionary path, which causes relatively few casualties during the transition period.
That is why many scientists today recognize the evolutionary path as the most suitable path for the transition period. For example, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences A. N. Yakovlev writes: "... revolution is a dead end, it means losing one's way. In the conditions of mutual quarrels and riots, crimes, which start both from the bottom and from the top, are on the rise. In this way, the crime of lupines is mixed with the crime of power. During the revolution, brutality reaches an unprecedented level. He creates theories about further development, and in the end he himself becomes an obstacle in the way of this movement. Only a natural, gradual way allows a person to feel satisfied, and society to realize its development in a consistent, well-thought-out, planned way."⁷⁷
Another advantage of the evolutionary path is that today humanity has reached a very high level of intellectual maturity. At the same time, his needs are evolving accordingly. The possibility of developing these two processes in a harmonious state will be solved only by following the evolutionary path. Today, this same way allows us to avoid confrontations that lead to tragedies and achieve progress through compromise and patience. This path is also effective for the countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which have gained their independence and are now entering the path of development. Regardless of what stages of development they are at now, their natural and gradual progress to the stage of democratic development means reaching the ultimate goal.
However, interference in their internal life, any attempts to introduce democracy with a "blow" from the outside will not bring expected results. Such a situation will only lead to the increase of internal and external conflicts in the country, and democracy will be manifested as a destructive force that throws it back from development, rather than a constructive force. In such conditions, there is a risk of civil strife in the country. This, in turn, intensifies inter-country and inter-national conflicts and does not allow democracy to find a solution.
Any "assistance" from the outside for the effective development of the evolutionary path creates the necessary conditions for the development of democratic processes in the country. Because democracy is determined by the participation of the people in the management of power, it cannot be "forced" and involved in the management process. For it, the need, the necessity, the emergence of conditions and the formation of the "natural" desire of the people to use it will be necessary.
The emergence of this process enables the evolutionary transition to a democratic society. It can be seen in the example of Uzbekistan that this way is bearing fruit in the countries where they exist.
So, the evolutionary path appears today as a path that can be effective for the development of the countries of the world and the emergence of stability in the regions, as well as for the general development. It is necessary to study these processes.
The general laws of the transition period are also common to Uzbekistan. Typical for the beginning of the transition period, it is characterized by the termination of the current political power, the preparation of the ground for the implementation of reforms in the economic sphere, and the liberation from the existing spiritual and ideological violence of the previous system. Regardless of their level, they are a common necessity for all countries that have chosen the path of development based on democratic principles. However, each country has its own characteristics, such as defining the strategy of the tasks to be carried out during the transition period, developing the mechanisms for solving them, and turning them into reality. The experience used by one country or several countries during the transition period cannot be used by another country. Because in the transition to a democratic society, not only the level of development of the countries will be of decisive importance, but it is also important to take into account the mentality of the people living in each country. Not taking it into account does not allow to achieve the ultimate goal.
Of course, these stages are not significantly different from each other, but the main idea in them is the development of democratic processes and, when a certain time comes, to give this process new strength, power and activity. Because if the processes are not consistently analyzed, if the main problem in it is not identified, and if future tasks are not defined, there will be no development.
But this should not be a reason to conclude that the transition period consists of several independent stages. Because the transition period itself is an independent "interval", "bridge" in the country's transition from different regimes to democracy. The stages shown above are indicative of the continuity of the transition period.