Title of the article

The Welfare State: Theoretical and Legal Aspects of Formation and Development

 Authors 

Anna F. Meshcheryakova —  Candidate of Law, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the sub-department of Justice, Penza State University, 40 Krasnaya street, Penza, 440026, Russia, fuga9@yandex.ru

 Category 

THEORETICAL AND HISTORICAL LEGAL SCIENCES

Year,.Volume, Number 

2021, Vol. 9, № 3 (35)

 Pages 

26-36

 Article type 

Original article

 Index UDK 

342.415

 DOI 

10.21685/2307-9525-2021-9-3-3

 Abstract 

Background. The article is devoted to studying the concept of the welfare state, its content and essence. The classification of models of the welfare state is given. The problem of building such a state, which the Russian Federation aspires to, is connected with a common understanding of this phenomenon. There are several approaches to understanding the welfare state, which confirms the relevance of the problem. Materials and methods. The study is based on the analysis of the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the legislation regulating the social sphere. It also relies on the doctrinal approaches to the concept and essence of the welfare state. The methodological basis of the research consists of such methods of cognition as analysis and synthesis, formal-logical and comparative-legal, which allow comparing the provisions of normative legal acts that affect social issues to varying degrees.
Results. The essence of the welfare state, which is manifested in balancing the interests of members of the society in the social sphere, is considered. Despite the proclamation of the social character of the state at the constitutional level, this provision should be treated with caution. The article shows that de facto Russia is not a welfare state at the moment. In this connection, the perspective and potential of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which contains provisions providing a focus for future development, can be argued. Conclusions. The analysis of the social policy of the Russian state and its social obligations enables concluding that in recent years, major efforts have been made towards implementing the social support measures for both the population as a whole and families in desperate need of financial assistance. Ultimately, the material well-being of the population depends on the economic development and their standard of living. The article notes that the welfare state should not proceed only from the requirement to fulfill social obligations to the population. The addressed problem is deeper, as an important role in achieving the set goals belongs to everyone: from the state to the population. Unfortunately, Russia has not created, has not formed a culture of human activity and autonomy, which would allow solving many problems through public discussion and collective search for the right solution. As a result, all problems are entrusted to the authorities, and the population relies on the help of the state.

 Keywords 

welfare state, social functions of the state, social obligations, models of the welfare state, social policy of the state, constitutional amendments

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References

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For citation

Meshсheryakova A.F. The Welfare State: Theoretical and Legal Aspects of Formation and Development. Elektronnyy nauchnyy zhurnal "Nauka. Obshchestvo. Gosudarstvo" = Electronic scientific journal "Science. Society. State". 2021;9(3):26–36. (In Russ.). doi:10.21685/2307-9525-2021-9-3-3