АДМІНІСТРАТИВНО–ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИЙ УСТРІЙ В УКРАЇНІ: ОСНОВНІ ЕТАПИ СТАНОВЛЕННЯ ТА ЇХНІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

The author of the article analyzed the main stages of the formation of the administrative-territorial structure of Ukraine. The main works on the study of these issues are considered. The author notes that the characteristics of the main stages of the formation of the administrative-territorial division of Ukraine and the study of the influence on the current state and prospects of development remain out of researchers’ attention. The basic characteristics of the main stages of the formation of the administrative-territorial structure are highlighted, the essential disadvantages and advantages are identified. Particular attention is paid to the period of independence of Ukraine. The main legal acts which regulating the administrative-territorial structure of modern Ukraine are investigated. The analysis of the main stages of the formation of the administrative-territorial system in Ukraine makes it possible to draw the following conclusions: principles of administrative-territorial division and its purpose during XX century were fundamentally different from those which are advanced by the modern constitutional and democratic states, all attempts to reform the territorial organization of power during the twentieth century had the purpose to create a model which convenient to be managed from the center. Each stage is characterized by compliance with the requirements of the current political system, but not by the desire to meet the needs of citizens. In result of the European choice of Ukraine it was the need to introduce European standards into the system of regional and local development and the formation of effective local self-government. It has been established that the goal of the administrative-territorial structure is to provide citizens the maximum amount of quality services by authorities at all levels of government.