Types of reforms - progressive and regressive: examples

Today, almost every person faces the concept of "reform" every day. This has become a familiar word from the mouths of political figures, radio and television presenters, and also appears in books, the media and other sources. What does this concept mean and what are its types?

The essence of the concept

The word "reform" comes from the Latin "reformare", which means "to transform". Denotes this concept of a change or transformation of any social process or object, the sphere of social life. Depending on the nature of the impact on historical development.

In view of the areas to which the changes are spread, different types of reforms are shared. In general, this phenomenon in any form and manifestation is a necessary process of development of the society and the state, even if its consequences are negative. It should also be noted that reform is, as a rule, a process that takes place within a certain country, its political, social or economic structure.

Mark on history

According to their influence on the course of history and development of the country, the following types of reforms are distinguished:

• Progressive - these changes entail the improvement, improvement of any sphere of life or the whole system. For example, the abolition of serfdom entailed a significant improvement in the lives of the broad masses of the population. Progressive reforms have a positive impact on the development of the economy, living standards or social security, as well as on other indicators, depending on the scope of their implementation.

• Regressive - transformation, which entail a deterioration of the work of systems and structures, a decrease in the standard of living or other negative consequences in society. For example, the introduction of a high tax rate may lead to a reduction in production, the transition of the economy into the so-called "shadow activity", deterioration of the living standards of the population.

Regressive reforms can develop into popular unrest, riots, strikes. But, despite all their negative consequences, such measures are sometimes forced and subsequently give a positive result. For example, an increase in fees or taxes to increase social protection of the population will initially cause a lot of popular outrage, but when the system is fully operational and the people feel the positive aspects of the transformations, the unrest will cease and the updates will positively affect the standard of living of citizens.

Directions

Types of reforms in the spheres of their application are very extensive. Political are aimed at changes in a particular field. For example, the transformation of the electoral system or the governance structure of the country. Economic entail changes in the economic activities of the country or foreign economic relations. Social activities are carried out with a view to making changes in the life of the broad masses of the people.

These are generalized concepts that can include many more specific transformations. Here are some examples:

• Constitutional reform is the introduction of changes to the country's most important document, providing for changes in the structure of power or the basic principles of its activities. Refers to the political sphere.

• Agrarian reform is a transformation in the country's agricultural activities. Can assume a state support of this sector of the economy or vice versa tightening requirements and rules. Refers to the economic sphere.
• Educational reform - changes in the learning system. May concern both the highest management structures of the system (the principles of the Ministry of Education), and specific areas (children's preschools, schools, universities, colleges, etc.). Refers to the social sphere.

A vivid example from the domestic history

Khrushchev's economic reforms, carried out in the 1950s and 1960s, had a tremendous impact on the further development of the country as a whole and of its individual regions. The most important innovation was the division of the entire territory into economic administrative regions with its local government bodies, which had rather wide powers.

Also, important changes include the crushing of the personality cult of Stalin, which gave impetus to a new look at his country and the world as a whole, and also aroused considerable interest of the world community.

But this was only the beginning of the changes, followed by others no less significant. For example, the agrarian reform was aimed at developing new lands and territories, processing them and adapting them to the needs of agriculture. These actions have yielded their important results: increased yields, development of industries adjacent to the agrarian complex, etc.

Khrushchev 's economic reforms encompassed the development of scientific potential, the expansion of the country's production capacities, and much, much more. They left a very significant trace and substantially raised the level of citizens' lives, although they had not only positive consequences.

Foreign examples

Kinds of social reforms are estimated in tens, and examples of their carrying out too huge quantity. One of the most striking changes in recent history are those that were conducted in Georgia.

In a fairly short period of time, the state apparatus was reduced, procedures for registering and conducting business were simplified, social security and healthcare systems were completely restructured. As a result of these reforms, Georgia gave excellent indicators on fighting corruption, showed the growth of the housekeeper and a significant improvement in the living standards of the population.

Special kind

To improve the system, stabilize the course or during transitional periods during the introduction of other changes, the state often uses such an arrangement as the implementation of monetary reform. With the help of this tool, it is possible to control inflation and overcome the negative consequences of the economic downturn.

The most obvious and familiar examples of monetary reform for the broad masses are the denomination (the enlargement of monetary units without changing their name), the nullification (a complete "reset of the system" - the introduction of a new monetary unit instead of the old one) and devaluation (depreciation of the domestic currency relative to the monetary units of other countries).

Next step

Summing up, it is worth noting an important point that virtually all types of reforms, if their consequences have a negative impact on people's lives, inevitably lead to a more resolute and rapid implementation of change. This phenomenon is called a revolution. Since such changes are initiated not by the state but by the people, and often do not have clear goals, but are only the result of a protest, their consequences can be unpredictable.