State Legal Control over Local Self-Government: Mechanisms for Countering Crimes against the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine

Abstract

The research examines the results of exercising the existing state supervision powers over local self-government bodies in combating crimes for the protection of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The aim is to assess the state-legal mechanisms for combating crimes to ensure the country’s territorial integrity based on the control functions over local self-government in Ukraine. The research employed methods of graphic analysis, sociological survey on issues of supervisory powers and local self-government, and content analysis of legislation related to state control over the activities of local authorities. The practical application of enhanced state supervision over local self-government bodies is complicated by the economic shortcomings of supervisory institutions and political contradictions with local authorities. It was established that effective countermeasures against crime for the preservation of territorial integrity depend not only on the nominal organisational structure of supervision but also on the formation of mutual relations with local communities through the governance channels with the involvement of the public. Detailed state supervision should effectively strengthen the protection of sovereignty while preserving the elements of self-governance that are an example of the state’s legitimacy for citizens.