Almanac of law. Issue 16 (2025), pages 175–179.
DOI: 10.33663/2524-017X-2025-16-175-179
Varych O. H.
Realization of law as a manifestation of the value-based nature of the state
The article explores the realization of law as a fundamental mechanism for manifesting the value-based nature of the state. It argues that the law, beyond its formal regulatory function, acts as a societal instrument for affirming and institutionalizing core values such as freedom, justice, human dignity, equality, and solidarity. The realization of law, therefore, is viewed not merely as the technical enforcement of norms, but as a dynamic process that transforms abstract legal provisions into lived social practices grounded in democratic ideals.
The study pays particular attention to the interdependence between the realization of law and the development of legal consciousness among citizens. It is noted that the extent to which law becomes a real force in social life largely depends on the level of legal culture, civic engagement, and trust in state institutions. In this context, the role of the state is viewed as pivotal. It is the state that must ensure the effective functioning of mechanisms that guarantee the enforcement of legal norms and the protection of human rights. These mechanisms include law-making that reflects social values, efficient legal enforcement, accessible and independent judicial protection, the operation of constitutional justice, the activity of the ombudsman, and the implementation of international legal standards.
The article analyzes how the state functions as a guarantor of rights and freedoms through its institutions and policies, ensuring that legal values are not limited to declarative texts but are actively realized in legal practice. It is emphasized that overcoming legal nihilism and restoring confidence in law and justice require not only systemic legal reforms but also the ethical commitment of the state to uphold the principles of the rule of law.
Furthermore, the article addresses the threats posed by the formalistic application of law without regard to its value orientation. The author warns that such an approach undermines the moral foundations of legal order and weakens the state’s legitimacy. Therefore, the realization of law must be rooted in a value-conscious framework that aligns state policy with human rights and the public good.
The conclusion underlines that the realization of law is inseparable from the broader project of democratic statebuilding. Only through consistent efforts to implement legal norms in a value-oriented manner can the state fulfill its constitutional mission as a custodian of justice and social harmony.
Key words: realization of law, legal values, rule of law, dignity, freedom, justice, legal culture, statehood.
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