Today, the question of what the concept of "social state" means is very relevant. We live in a time when the implementation of its principles becomes not only possible, but also necessary. So what is a social state? Let's figure it out.
The very concept of “social state” is a principle (characteristic) that refers to constitutional legal status. It assumes that the constitution guarantees social and economic human rights and freedoms, as well as the corresponding responsibilities that it assumes. A welfare state is a state that should serve society and strive to ensure that social differences are minimized or completely eliminated.
Is Russia a social state?
The Constitution of the Russian Federation gives a positive answer to this question. It says that our country is a social state. And the concept of "social state" means that the country's policy is aimed at creating such conditions under which the free development of man and a decent life for everyone would be ensured. Consequently, the Russian Federation is striving for this.
State obligations enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation
In order to better understand the concept of "social state" and its essence, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with its obligations constitutionally enshrined in the Russian Federation. Among them are the following:
- protect the health and work of people;
- establish a minimum wage, which is guaranteed;
- to provide state support to the family, childhood, paternity, motherhood, senior citizens and the disabled;
- develop the existing system of social services;
- for citizens to establish benefits, state pensions and other guarantees of social protection.
The essence and purpose of the social type state
The union of all nationalities, nations, social groups, united by the special concept of "civil society", is the essence of a state of a social type. A welfare state is a state whose purpose is to ensure the protection and interests of society as a whole. It is built on the recognition of legitimate interests, freedoms and human rights, which are considered as the highest value.
The social state is a political organization, which is an institution aimed at organizing a society as a whole, worthy of everyone’s life, protecting the freedoms, rights and interests of all peoples and citizens. This is an instrument for resolving conflicts and disputes both on the territory of the country and outside it. That is what the concept of "social state" means.
It is closely related to the institution of law. Only a state of law, that is, one in which the mechanisms of the rule of law are already sufficiently developed, can become social. Since the mid 90's. in a situation where, on the one hand, liberal ideas spread, and on the other, the social role of the state and the demands put forward by society in relation to social policy increased, new ideas began to form about the type of state of interest to us. A welfare state is a state that is considered today as a mechanism that removes the contradictions between social goals and market laws. This is a very important characteristic of it.
Rejection of the paternalistic role
The social state, in contrast to the so-called "welfare state", today seeks to abandon the paternalistic role. It is focused on eliminating dependency. A welfare state is a state characterized by the desire to create favorable conditions for society through a market economy that is socially oriented.
Development periodization
It began in the mid 90's. in our country, the period can be called the stage of a liberal social state. The following types of the latter are distinguished:
- socialist (from the 70s of the 19th century to the 30s of the 20th century);
- legal social state (from the 30s to the end of the 40s of the 20th century);
- the state of social services (end of the 40s - 60s of the last century);
- the welfare state (late 50s - mid 80s);
- the stage of crisis and the destruction of the welfare state (80s - mid 90s);
- a liberal social state (from the mid-1990s to the present).
Signs of a social state
For more than 100 years, the definitions of the concepts that interest us have formed, with all their apparent heterogeneity, contain a limited set of permanent features. The first of them is the accessibility for all members of the society of social support of the state. The second is the legal nature of the state's implementation of social policy, its right to regulate and control social processes. Moreover, the legal function consists not only in regulating social processes, but also in endowing citizens with social rights. The state is socially responsible. The third constant sign is the availability of budgetary social benefits. Fourth - the presence of a state system of employment, social security and social protection. Fifth - recognition of their responsibility for the level of well-being of citizens. A welfare state is a state in which all these signs are present.
Social politics
Social policy is one of the main tools that serve to implement a social state. The relationship of the latter with it is manifested primarily in how deeply and fully it conducts social policy, and also to what extent it expresses the interests and needs of its citizens. Thus, a social state is when the principles of social policy are in effect.
Its direction is to achieve results and goals related to improving the social and material well-being of citizens, improving the quality of life of people and achieving social and political stability in the state, preventing the emergence of foci of social tension in it.
Functions
So, we answered the question: "What does the concept of" social state "mean?". Now consider the functions that it has. Speaking about them, the following circumstances should be considered:
- the social state is inherent in all functions that are traditional for any state;
- their general social significance is superimposed on their content, therefore postulates that are traditional are refracted through the prism of the tasks and goals of the social state;
- it is possible to distinguish within the framework of the social function individual, specific directions in which the activities of the social state proceed.
In particular, the latter include:
- protection of human health and labor;
- support for socially vulnerable groups of the population;
- support for paternity, motherhood, family and childhood;
- smoothing by redistribution of income of social inequality;
- promotion of charity, etc.
The human dimension
Not only the political and economic, but also the moral process is the formation of a social state. It requires a "human" dimension. Signs of such a state are:
- a democratic organization of the power system;
- high moral level of the population, and officials - first of all;
- a powerful economic potential that allows for the implementation of various measures aimed at the redistribution of income, while not significantly affecting the position of owners;
- the social orientation of the policy of such a state, manifested in the development of various social programs, as well as the priority of their implementation, etc.
Obstacles standing in the way of the social state in Russia
1. Our country has not yet found sufficient support in law, and in Russia a social state cannot rely on its foundation. In our country, its creation is not, as in the West, a new stage, which the rule of law state is undergoing in its development.
2. In Russia, the "middle layer" of owners has not yet been created. From party-state property, spontaneously privatized, almost nothing came to the majority of the population of our country.
3. In Russia, there is no economic potential necessary for the implementation of measures aimed at redistributing income, while not significantly affecting the autonomy and freedom of owners.
4. In our country, monopolies in many important types of marketing and production have not yet been eliminated. This leads to the fact that there is no real competition.
5. There is also no mature, developed civil society.
6. The level of morality in Russian society is reduced, the spiritual guidelines of equality and justice are almost lost. With the help of "professional" politicians and ideologists, as well as the media, the pernicious idea that economics and politics are incompatible with morality is being affirmed in the public mind.
7. Political parties existing in Russia do not have clear social programs.
8. In the process of liberation from the intervention of the state of Russian society, the social role of statehood is reduced by inertia. That is, society has gone to the other extreme, and the citizen has remained face to face with the elements of the market.
9. In society, there are no real, clearly defined goals, there are no models of living arrangements that are scientifically verified.
Despite all the above difficulties, the only way for the development of a free society in our country is precisely the development of social statehood. This applies not only to Russia, but also to all other countries.
So, you have learned about what the concept of "social state" means. This topic is addressed in the study of disciplines such as political science and law. When passing the exam in social studies, you need to have an idea of what a social state is. This concept should ideally be known to every citizen.