Social state: functions and principles

The social state, whose functions are mainly aimed at ensuring the interests of the widest possible segments of the population, has been the dream of many peoples for several centuries. And, of course, the promise of state managers.

Social state: the concept and functions

However, one should not confuse the social with the socialist. Although the similarity in the semantics of words has its roots in the essence of these concepts, however, they are not entirely identical. If the ultimate goal of socialism is the abolition of capitalist relations in the country (as the main source of exploitation) and the formation of a single class, then any, even the school level, the abstract "Functions of a Social State" will mean that the governments of such countries seek a fair redistribution of material goods between citizens for the sake of Achieve a decent standard of living for each of them. Let us consider in detail what the social state is.

Its functions and principles suggest that it should provide a decent overall standard of living for all social categories. The state in the person of the government is responsible for the processes of ensuring a real subsistence level, which would guarantee a truly decent life. Similar goals are achieved through a fair and competent redistribution among people of social wealth, for example, high taxes on wealthy citizens who provide a living wage in the country .

A social state, whose functions are also the provision of free work of social elevators, should be guided by the principle of social equality. This should not be taken as a general leveling, only equal for all conditions of starting opportunities. That is, for all categories of the population, equal access to health care facilities, prospective work, education, and so on should be ensured. All this should be available to every resident of the country, regardless of its material security, origin, race or religion, and so on.

The governments of these countries integrate effective social programs into the system to help those citizens who can not independently provide themselves. These are social insurance programs: a system of benefits, provision of low-income public housing, medical insurance and so on.

The main goal of the socially directed government is the eradication of poverty in the country. In successful countries, its level is no more than 10%.

Interestingly, today almost every government in the world declares itself to be social. Thus, according to the 7th article of the Constitution, the Russian Federation is a social state. Functions declarative at the same time do not always correspond to practice. This should be remembered. And not so many countries in the world where they can really boast of significant effective programs in this area. An example of success can serve modern Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands and a number of other countries.