Characteristics of the Content of the Legal Culture of Masters of Public Administration in the Usa and Ukraine
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Legal culture is an integral part of the general culture of society and plays an important role in shaping legal consciousness and legal norms. It encompasses a set of legal knowledge, values, attitudes and behavioral patterns that shape the perception of law as a social institution. It is important to note that legal culture is not limited to the field of jurisprudence alone. It influences various areas of knowledge and activity, including education, science and professional practice. Master’s degree holders in public administration play a crucial role in shaping and developing the legal culture of society. A comparative study of the legal culture of master's students in the USA and Ukraine allows for the identification of both common and distinct features, which are determined by historical development, national traditions and the specifics of the education systems in these countries. The issue of legal training for future specialists has been explored in the scholarly works of many researchers. Numerous studies by domestic and foreign authors have been dedicated to the examination of legal culture. The theoretical foundations of legal culture are discussed in the works of I. Holovchenko, O. Danylyan, O. Petryshyn, V. Salnykov, and others. The formation of legal culture in higher education is addressed in the studies of N. Krestovska, O. Skakun, V. Fedorenko, and others. Certain aspects of the legal culture of master's students in the USA and Ukraine are examined in the works of J. Gardiner, R. Letovych, V. Andrushchenko, V. Bakhin, V. Komarov, and others. There is still a lack of comprehensive comparative studies on the legal culture of public administration master's students in the USA and Ukraine, which underscores the relevance of this research. The research aims to explore the pedagogical conditions that shaped the legal culture of masters of public administration in the USA and Ukraine, while identifying their similarities and differences. Аn in-depth study of the legal culture of masters of public administration in the USA and Ukraine has revealed significant differences in the level of legal culture and its components between the two countries. In the USA the legal culture of masters of public administration is characterized by a high level of legal knowledge, respect for the rule of law, and an awareness of the importance of adhering to legal norms in professional activities. Future specialists in the USA demonstrate a deep understanding of the principles of a legal state, separation of powers, and the protection of citizens rights and freedoms. They consider strict compliance with legislation and ethical standards to be an integral part of their professional responsibilities. Ukraine unfortunately still lags in the level of legal culture among masters of public administration. There are gaps in knowledge of the legal framework, low motivation to comply with legal norms, and a formal, superficial attitude toward the principles of the rule of law. This situation can negatively affect the efficiency of public administration, the quality of administrative services, and citizens trust in government institutions. A dismissive attitude toward the law and disregard for its norms may contribute to the spread of corruption and abuse of power. This research has demonstrated that implementing these recommendations would significantly raise the level of legal culture among masters of public administration. This, in turn, would positively impact the efficiency of public administration, the enforcement of the rule of law, the quality of administrative services, and the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. A high legal culture among civil servants is essential for building a truly democratic and law-governed state.
Authors: L. PETRENKO, V. ZAKHAROVA
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410899369