On the balance of representative democracy and professionalism in the federal legislative process

The ratio of representative democracy and professionalism is analysed in the article and the conclusion about their competition is drawn. The imbalance between legislative and repre?sentative activity determines the poor quality of laws. The following ways of legislative activi?ty’s professionalization are proposed by the author: improving the professional competence of legislator, ensuring the observance of professional standards of lawmaking and establishment of the mechanism of legal responsibility for nonprofessional legislative decisions.