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