Pankevych I. Institute of electivity as a part of Ukrainian legal tradition (historico-legal research).

In the thesis the institute of electivity as a part of Ukrainian legal tradition is highlighted. The tradition of authorities’ electivity in the system of concepts and related categories is characterized. The historico-legal process of formation of electoral law principles and structures as a form of expression of the electivity tradition is described. On the basis of the concept of legal tradition author’s vision about institute of electivity as an integral part of the legal tradition of the Ukrainian people is proposed, Ukrainians ideas about election and electivity in relevant historical conditions are particularized, the evolution of these concepts, the mechanism of filling them by concrete historical content and ways of formalization in the principles and norms of electoral law are analyzed. The criteria were determined and periodization of electivity institute development as a part of Ukrainian legal tradition with the release of three stages - the archaic phase, patrimonial-particular-theological and politico-legal, is provided.