INTERPRETATION OF THE CONCEPT OF «FUNCTIONS OF А SOCIAL STATE BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW»: DOCTRINAL APPROACHES

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the concept of «functions of а social state based on the rule of law». Given the constant changes in various areas of the state, its functions are not stable, and therefore the issue is relevant and requires further research. In modern legal science, there is a pluralism of approaches to the definition of «functions of the state», but it is extremely rare to find a disclosure of the content of the concept of «functions of а social state based on the rule of law».The author defines the semantic load of the term «social legal state». A social state is a state whose priority is to ensure the human right to a decent life. The rule-of-law state fulfills its functions based on the principle of the rule of law which is most important for its bodies, officials and employees, and which is enshrined in Article 1 of the Fundamental Law as a general principle.The author examines various approaches to understanding the term «functions of the State». The researchers define the functions of the state, firstly, as the areas of the state’s activities aimed at meeting the needs of the population in all spheres of public relations; secondly, the areas of the state which express the essence, goals and objectives.The author proposes an interpretation of the concept of «functions of а social state based on the rule of law» as the areas of state activity which express the essence and social purpose of the state, and through which its goals and objectives are formed, and which are transformed at a particular historical stage of the state’s development under the influence of socio-economic, political, cultural and other factors.