On historical experience of modernization processes in world social and political practice

The article examines the history of modernization processes in the world’s social and political practice.The author
analyzes the theories of modernization, the researchers’ views on the peculiarities of modernization processes and the
main problems faced by the states that have embarked on the path of transformation.Attention is paid to the conceptual
basis of modernization processes: concepts of evolutionism, diff usionism, modern theories of socio-cultural dynamics.
Political modernization can be regarded as a process of changing the political system. The main directions of the political
modernization processes are: the changes of the political system, stabilization of political relations, institutional
adaptation to the current realities and modern challenges, sustainable economic growth and democracy. States are going
through a process of modernization in accordance with their goals, objectives and level of development.The concept of
political modernisation is one of the key notions in the policy arrangements approach. It tries to capture those structural
transformations in political domains in contemporary societies, which have or may have consequences for day-to-day
policy practices. In turn, developments within certain policy practices may contribute to or contradict these structural
transformations.