The present study to shows:

1) since the beginning of its existence this institution met with approval of wide social circles and the criticism of intellectuals, paying attention to the impossibility of its realization according to the ideological vocation and with assumptions;

2) from the time of the French Revolution 1789–1799 democratic ideas are closely connected with populism. Politicians and ruling use tchem as fulfilling the will of the majority of society, and as a tool solving all sociopolitical problems;

3) political pragmatism, and included performance of the public life, cause that the idea of the democracy is replaced by the challenge of building the civil society which is commonly accepted as sociopolitical reality.