The advancement of social goals among the priorities of modern economic development led to the formation of the state's social policy. Social politics- This is the activity of the state aimed at providing conditions for the fullest satisfaction of the needs and increasing the well-being of the population of the country. Social policy presupposes joint activities of the state and trade unions, as well as business structures, public funds, parties, etc.

The main objectives social policy are: mitigation of inequality in the distribution of income of the population; full employment; protecting the health of the nation; environmental Safety; neutralization of the negative consequences of the market economy; ensuring favorable living and working conditions for the entire population of the country; creation of conditions for the preservation of social stability.

In accordance with this, the following tasks: implementation of employment programs, assistance to the disabled, provision of accessibility and development of the spheres of education, medicine, social insurance and culture, implementation of special programs to protect low-income strata of the population.

The methods of implementing the social policy of the state are the system of social protection and social guarantees. Social protection Is a system of measures taken by society to ensure the stability of the socially normal material and social situation of its citizens. Social guarantees represent a system of obligations of society to its members for a certain satisfaction of a number of their necessary needs.

For the Republic of Belarus, the following social policy measures are relevant:

Creation of a targeted social protection system;

Streamlining benefits, allowances and surcharges paid at the expense of enterprises, organizations and firms by including them in tariff rates and official salaries;

Introduction of tax and credit benefits for enterprises and firms that create additional jobs and employ women with many children, people with disabilities, youth;

Clarification of the cost of the "consumer basket" taking into account the dynamics of prices, wages and world practice;

Regular revision of the minimum wage in the national economy due to price increases;

Development of insurance medicine.

14. Modern world economy Issues

14.1 World Economy. The main forms of international economic relations

14.2 International Economic Integration

14.3 Concept and types of foreign economic policy

14.4 Currency relations: concept and types. Currency systems

14.1 World economy. The main forms of international economic relations

World economy is a set of national economies united by participation in the international division of labor and linked by a system of international economic relations.

The objective basis for the development of the world economy is the international division of labor. The division of labor is based on the specialization of countries in the production of certain types of products. The exchange of products of specialization is a prerequisite for the reproduction process. The international division of labor is due to the following reasons: natural and climatic differences; geographical location of countries; variety of socio-economic conditions.

The main forms of international economic relations (relations) are:

International trade;

International capital migration;

International migration work force;

International industrial and scientific and technical cooperation;

Currency relations in the world economy.

International trade.International (world) trade Is a trade in goods and services on a global scale. World trade is characterized by the following indicators: export, import, trade balance, foreign trade turnover, export quota.

Export Is the export of goods and services abroad. Import Is the import of goods and services from abroad.

Trade balance Is the difference between exports and imports of goods. The trade balance can be active or passive. Active a trade balance is achieved when exports exceed imports. Passive a trade balance occurs when imports exceed exports. In the case of a passive balance of trade, the country has an external debt to foreign suppliers. It is the passive trade balance that is a chronic problem for the Republic of Belarus.

Foreign trade turnover Is the aggregate value of exports and imports, expressed at the same price scale.

Export quota shows the ratio of the value of exports to the value of GDP. If the export quota exceeds 25%, then the country's economy is recognized as dependent on the global environment. In the Republic of Belarus, the export quota is in the range of 50% - 60%.

International capital migration. International capital migration is a system of relations governing the import of loan capital from abroad and the export of loan capital abroad.

Import of loan capital is caused either by the need for prompt stabilization of the national financial and banking systems, or by the need for accelerated modernization of the national economy.

Export of loan capital pursues the following goals: increasing the mass of the received profit; preservation and expansion of sales markets. The export of loan capital is carried out in the form of investments and loans.

Investments are subdivided into straight and portfolio... Investments in foreign enterprises that ensure control over them by the investor are called direct investment(creation of branches, subsidiaries, joint ventures abroad). Portfolio investments- this is investing in securities for the purpose of generating income, and not establishing control over the economic activities of a foreign enterprise.

International credits provided either to a foreign government or foreign entrepreneurs for the implementation of their investment projects.

For foreign borrowers, loans are more attractive than investments, since they do not diminish the degree of their control over enterprises. However, loans, unlike investments, create for the recipient country the problem of debt dependence on external creditors.

International labor migration.International labor migration is the movement of the working-age population from one country to another. There are two aspects of labor migration: emigration and immigration. Emigration- the movement of part of the labor force outside national borders. Immigration- inflow of labor resources from abroad.

The main reasons for labor migration are economic, that is, unemployment and national differences in wage levels. Labor imports High Quality allows you to save money on training specialists, increase the competitiveness of goods. However, the host countries (recipients) are faced with an aggravation of the employment problem, a deterioration in the economic situation of their own workers, and an exacerbation of social conflicts.

For donor countries, international labor migration contributes to the flow of foreign currency into the country (annually, India, Indonesia, Turkey receive 2 - 3 billion dollars in the form of money transfers by emigrants to their homeland), new technologies, the accumulation of work experience, a change in the professional and qualification structure of employment, reduces the severity of the problem of employment.

International industrial and scientific and technical cooperation... The most common form of international relations in the field of science and technology is the commercial exchange of scientific and technical knowledge. The main forms of such exchange include:

Trade in licenses. License- this is a permit issued by the patent owner (licensor) to another person or company (licensee) for the industrial and commercial use of the invention for a specified period for a specified fee;

Engineering. Engineering- provision of technological knowledge necessary for the acquisition, installation and use of purchased or rented machinery and equipment);

Leasing. Leasing- long-term lease of machinery and equipment, vehicles, industrial facilities and other facilities with subsequent redemption at the residual value. The rental form of export of machinery and equipment is economically profitable for both parties: the lessee gets the opportunity to use expensive equipment without large initial capital investments, the lessor expands sales with a relative reduction in the risk of losses from the insolvency of the customer.

Currency relations. Due to the existence of a national scale of prices, the problem of uniform measurement of prices for goods produced in different countries arises. Currency Is a national currency that can measure the monetary units of other countries. The development of world trade requires the use of certain monetary systems, the features of which will be discussed below.

Basic goals and objectives of social policy

The development of the state's social policy exists subject to constant state intervention and regulation by it in various social spheres of life.

Definition 1

The concept of social policy often refers to those actions of the state that are aimed at the influence of trade unions and other government organizations that form the system of social relations.

The most important tasks of social policy are:

• social protection of a citizen;
• providing necessary assistance to those in need;
• provision of quality education, occupational safety and health;
• ensuring environmentally friendly living conditions;
• provision of qualifications for cadre workers.

The goals of social policy include:

• an increase in civil capital;
• improving living standards and working conditions;
• minimization of socially sensitive issues leading to discrimination of any group in society;
• improving the well-being of the people;
• provision of social protection;
• raising the cultural level of the population.

However, the existence of a system that responds to consumer demands and provides conditions for an individual citizen to achieve certain social goals cannot yet be an indicator of a successful social policy.

Purposeful social policy, like any purposeful activity carried out by the state, is carried out only if social needs are relevant. The concrete understanding of social policy as purposeful actions of the state expresses the structure of the social functions of the state.

Remark 1

Thus, the function of social policy remains the systematization and structuring of all aspects of the social life of citizens. Due to the evolution of the state social system in the economy, there is a partial modernization of individual socio-political structures and elements.

If we consider the functioning of the entire economic and political system, then social policy, from the point of view of a multifaceted state system occupies a special place and plays a double role. The primary role of social policy in increasing the country's economic growth, by achieving the satisfaction of the social needs of the population. Thus, one cannot separate aspects of social life from economic ones, since they are interrelated and often determine the same thing.

The secondary role of social policy in the state lies in its feature, since being the main factor of economic growth and economic activity, a social institution acts between an individual and the state, an entrepreneur and a worker, etc. In other words, in addition to purely economic benefits, social policy answers most of the questions asked by man.

System of management and implementation of social policy

The social functions of any state are carried out through a social institution at various organizational levels. In addition to state structures, which play an important, but not a key role in this process, to the subjects of social. politicians include government agencies, creating a legal framework on which the implementation of material support and the provision of other types of social services becomes possible, regardless of any social factors.

For the high-quality implementation of the entire set of goals and objectives of social policy programs, a complex system of regulation is being formed by the structure and individual elements in the presented state. system by various organs. The state is a key and necessary condition for the existence of the subject of social policy, since it represents not only the function of managing the public sphere in the country, but also implies the totality of all its subjects and the regulation of their relations. If we consider the subjects of the state in the field of social policy, then they can be divided into:

• government bodies and state. institutions;
• regional self-government bodies;
• off-budget financial formations;
• organizations of a public, religious, charitable and any non-governmental nature;
• private business and all business activities that make up the commercial structure of the country;
• professional staff;
• volunteer and volunteer activities;
• initiative projects of individual citizens (self and self-help groups).

Remark 2

Each represented subject is guided and used by the state to achieve social social justice, elimination of class inequality, promoting stability and peace in society, improving the well-being and living standards of people. The main object of state social policy is the population in all its socially different group manifestations. The state task in the distribution of social benefits between the population is to focus on social security and protection of citizens on people with low incomes who are in need for any reason, i.e. focusing on the lowest-endowed social class in the country as a whole and on the individual in a certain difficult situation.

From a strategic point of view, the object of social. public policy- social processes that arise in society in their multifaceted and different forms of manifestation. Normative legal acts contribute to the formation and management of relationships between various objects, elements and subjects of social policy. Thus, when making specific decisions, this system is supplemented by certain general social aspects, one of which is the most important part of the social. politicians - social work... To implement this program, there are state structures legislative and executive branches of government.

Social policy includes two main guiding strategies: scientific and cognitive basis and practical and organizational. The scientific and cognitive sphere is more theoretical in nature and exists to summarize any existing indicators, thereby forming a development trend, analyzing the results, considering existing problems, solving these problems, answering urgent questions prevailing in society, etc.

The theoretical basis of social policy forms the analysis of public opinion and public sentiments, which are more or less stable in certain social groups. Analytical material in this area contributes to the development of specific social programs that will answer questions of consumption and contribute to the formation of a new concept of public administration.

The practical and organizational component of social policy consists in the direct implementation of the existing and developed program in the scientific and cognitive sphere of politics, as well as the implementation of conceptual provisions, strategic tasks and other socially important projects in social life to improve the general state of the socio-economic sphere in the state.

Essence, content and principles of social policy

Definition 1

Social politics- this phenomenon is very extensive and multifaceted. If the goal of social policy is to consider the achievement of social efficiency, then in a broad sense, social policy can be considered as a way to meet social needs, and in a narrow sense, it can be reduced to resolving contradictions in the social sphere, a tool that mitigates the negative consequences of individual and social inequality.

Social policy - the policy of the state, society, political parties, social institutions in relation to public welfare, meeting the material, social, intellectual needs of people, creating an environment of stability.

At the same time, social policy can be defined both as a tool that allows creating conditions for self-realization of all citizens of the country, preserving its cultural and historical values, and as one of the leading directions of the state development strategy, the concept social development... It should be realized that before the state turns to the solution of certain problems in a specific area of ​​the social sphere, the general tasks and prospects of its development must be determined. In other words, social policy is a factor in the development of both the state and society.

Picture 1.

Remark 1

The goals of social policy are quite easily derived from the definition of the concept of politics in its narrow sense and are defined as creating conditions for better satisfaction of the material and spiritual needs of all social groups and as strengthening social justice in the system of economic, political, legal, and moral relations. The main goal of social policy is to improve the level and quality of life of the country's population.

In pursuit of the goal of improving the living standards of the population, social policy covers $ 4 $ in the main sectors of society:

• demography (natural reproduction of the population);
• labor (labor market, employment, training and retraining, personnel, labor conditions and safety, social partnership);
• personal income (wages, pensions, benefits, etc.);
• social infrastructure (housing, schools, preschool institutions, healthcare and cultural institutions, etc.).

In a modern developed society, the tendency towards the development of public institutions that serve the self-regulation and self-organization of society is increasing. Such institutions are an important element of civil society, their support - feature"Effective" state. A civilly mature society is capable not only of complementing the social efforts of the state, but also of adjusting them, the necessary control over them in civilized, non-violent forms.

If we assume that social policy is focused on the formation information society, then it inevitably should contribute to the implementation of the following tasks:

1. the rapid growth of human potential as a condition for helping the productive life of members of society;
2. the formation of a new middle class as the determining social force of society and the main carrier of the nation's human potential;
3. the development of civil society and the rule of law as an indispensable condition for the expanded reproduction of human potential.

Definition 2

So, subjects of social policy- these are really independent and, moreover, actually operating social groups and their representative bodies, organizations, institutions, structures.

Revealing the essence of social policy requires considering its features and functions. Indicators or signs of this category are:

1. objectivity;
2. statehood;
3. multi-personality and objectivity;
4. solidarity (redistributive) nature of relations;
5. the concrete historical nature of the relationship.

Priority areas of social policy of the state

The most important priorities of the state social policy in modern conditions are: the creation of an optimal social infrastructure and its development; problems of environmental protection and protection; society's income distribution policy; socio-demographic policy; problems of employment and social protection of the population. The problems of state regulation of employment of the population will be considered in the next chapter.

In solving socio-economic problems, the social sphere occupies a decisive position. Without an extensive system of the social sphere and its normal development successful implementation social policy is impossible to achieve. Let us recall that the economy is a life support system for a person and society as a whole. There is also a narrower area of ​​economics, directly related to social phenomena, called the social sphere of the economy.

Definition 3

Social sphere - area of ​​vital activity human society, in which social activities are carried out primarily by the state, as well as public and religious organizations, charitable and public funds in the distribution of material, spiritual benefits and services. In short, everything related to human well-being belongs to the social domain of the economy. All types of social security are directly related to the social economy, i.e. monetary allowance, material assistance provided to separate, most often disabled strata and categories that do not have their own income and sources of livelihood, or have them to a limited, insufficient extent. The most common type of social security is pension benefits. There are over 38 million pensioners in Russia with a population of $ 147.5 million. Most of them are retirees: women - $ 55 years, men - $ 60 years. For certain categories of the population, the retirement age is even lower.

Each pensioner is guaranteed the payment of a pension not lower than the level established by law - the minimum pension, and higher pensions are paid depending on the length of service and the level of wages. In addition to pensions, various benefits and payments are issued from the state and local budgets. They can be permanent, long-term and temporary, it is possible to provide a one-time, social assistance.

Social guarantees

Social guarantees are socio-economic standards that guarantee the population a level of consumption recognized by society, that is, they provide a minimum standard of living standards in accordance with the capabilities of the economy.

The social security system must meet the following requirements:

• necessary and sufficient volume;
• provision of financial and material resources;
• targeting;
• taking into account territorial features;
• mechanism for communicating to the recipient.

Social guarantees can be nationwide, regional, sectoral, and the sources of their financing are the federal budget, the budgetary system of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation and extra-budgetary funds. Social guarantees are provided to the citizens of the country in accordance with the Constitution.

With regard to the able-bodied population, social guarantees should ensure conditions for labor and business activity, protection of the rights and freedoms of an employee, employer.

For the bulk of the population, hired labor is the main source of livelihood, therefore, the system of social protection of the able-bodied population should provide guarantees in the field of employment and wages. For this, the state establishes a minimum wage. Most countries set a minimum hourly wage.

In the middle of the $ 80 $ -s. The UN has issued a recommendation that an hourly wage must be at least $ 3 dollars. It has been found that a salary of less than $ 3 dollars per hour leads to a decrease in motivation to work.

In Russia, the minimum monthly payment is set at $ 1100 rubles (i.e. about $ 40 $ per month, or about $ 0.2 $ per hour). Such a low level of the minimum wage indicates that the state currently practically does not regulate the level of wages in Russia.

social policy state modern

The development of the social structure of society is constantly in need of regulation. The question is about social policy. It means the purposeful influence of the state, trade unions and other public organizations on the existing system of social relations.

The main principles of social policy are:

1) Protection of the standard of living by introducing various forms of compensation in the event of price increases and indexation;

2) Providing assistance to the poorest families;

3) Issuance of assistance in case of unemployment;

4) Ensuring social insurance policy, setting the minimum wage for workers;

5) Development of education, protection of health, the environment, mainly at the expense of the state;

6) Implementation of an active policy aimed at ensuring qualifications.

Social policy is one of the main directions domestic policy the state, designed to provide the prerequisites for the stability of its social system.

Social policy goals:

1) Improvement and rise in the standard of living of the population of the country

2) Smoothing or elimination of social contradictions, achieving a certain level of balance in society

3) Enhancement of well-being and culture

The goals of social policy are implemented through the provision of state social guarantees, regulation of the way of life with taxes, encouragement of charity, entrepreneurial initiative, repressive methods, for example, the fight against drug trafficking; redistribution of material resources and organizational efforts.

The existence in society of needs to achieve social goals and their indirect satisfaction as a result of the activities of the state in the economic and political spheres do not yet indicate the existence of a purposeful social policy of the state. Actually, social policy as a purposeful activity to achieve social goals is carried out by the state only with the appearance of its social functions, that is, only when the state assumes direct responsibility and obligations to meet the social needs of citizens. In the concrete understanding of social policy as a purposeful activity of the state to implement its social functions, it is necessary to state that the social policy of the state appears only with the emergence of specific social functions. Linking social policy to the social functions of the state suggests that the development of the structure of social functions of the state is the basis for structuring its social policy. With the evolution of the state from its simplest forms to the most complex, there is a corresponding transformation of social policy and its structural elements.

Social policy plays, in terms of functioning economic system, a dual role. First, as economic growth progresses, the accumulation of national wealth, the creation of favorable social conditions for citizens becomes the main goal of economic activity, and in this sense, the goals of economic growth are concentrated in social policy; all other aspects of economic development are beginning to be seen as means of implementing social policy.

Secondly, social policy is a factor of economic growth and is not accompanied by an increase in well-being, then people lose incentives for effective economic activity. At the same time, the higher the level of economic development is reached, the higher the requirements for people, culture, physical and moral development. In turn, this requires further development of the social sphere.

The implementation of the social functions of the state is carried out through social institutions at different organizational levels. It doesn't have to be government agencies. The subjects of the state's social policy include the competent state bodies (or institutions) that form the social information and legal field, provide material support or provide natural types of assistance (social services) to persons in need of them within the approved federal or territorial guarantees.

Social policy cannot be viewed as an exclusively economic issue. Economic science, as the subject of its research in the field of social policy, focuses on the economic mechanisms of its implementation. In a market economy, these include, first of all, the mechanisms for generating income and maintaining the employment of the population.

Social policy is a complex of socio-economic measures of the state of enterprises, organizations, local authorities aimed at protecting the population from unemployment, rising prices, etc.

State social policy provides for the solution of the following tasks:

1) Ensuring equal opportunities in the realization of the right to education and a share in public welfare through a fair distribution of income and property (capital).

2) Reduction of undesirable, market-driven differences between rich and poor in the emergence of income and capital.

3) Ensuring greater freedom, justice, respect for human dignity, ensuring personal development, active participation in public life and the right to a share of social responsibility.

4) Further improvement of the socio-political tools and regulations governing the existing structure in order to ensure basic social rights and expand the social security network.

It should be noted that the possibilities for solving certain problems of social policy are determined by the resources that the state can direct to solve them. In turn, the resource base depends on general level economic development of the country. Therefore, the specific tasks of social policy are closely related to the economic development of the country.

The main goal of the social and economic policy of the Government Russian Federation in the long term is a consistent increase in the standard of living of the population, a decrease in social inequality, the preservation and augmentation of cultural values ​​of Russia, the restoration of the economic and political role countries in the world community. In this regard, investment in people is an unconditional priority in the field of social policy. That is why it will envisage an outstripping growth in allocations for these purposes from the budgets of all levels in comparison with most other areas of government spending.

In order to ensure financial stability, the Government of the Russian Federation will pursue a consistent financial policy based on bringing the state's obligations in line with its resources, increasing the efficiency of the budget system, and clearly delineating budgetary powers and responsibilities of various levels of government. At the same time, together with the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, measures will be taken to ensure the stability of the national currency.

Lecture 5. Social policy of the state: main goals, directions and mechanisms of its implementation

PLAN:

1. Social policy as social theory and practice. The main functions of social policy.

2. Interrelation and interdependence of social policy and economy. Labor economics.

Question 1. Social policy as social theory and practice

Before studying a specific discipline, analyzing a scientific problem, it is necessary to understand the categories used, to understand the essence of the phenomena and processes related to the research topic. Otherwise, it is difficult to expect a positive result. For example, it is hardly advisable to conduct a discussion about the development of the labor market or the social protection system if the participants in the scientific debate put different meanings in key concepts.

So, in theoretical and practical terms, it is important first of all to understand the categorical apparatus, definitions, definitions of social policy, as well as in the initial concepts that help to reveal its content.

Society and its structure

Words with Russian roots society, public and words with Latin roots society, social- synonyms. The same can be said for adjectives public and social in relation to the phenomena that will be discussed below.

Society- an integral, historically stable form (system) of the joint life of people. The integrity and historical stability (reproducibility, renewability) of society are provided by its internal structure, structure.

The structure of society- it is its structure, device, dismembered and qualitatively reproducible unity of interacting parts. It maintains (renews), firstly, the organization of society as a whole (system) and, secondly, the order of action of parts in society, which does not destroy its viability.

Society, its structure can be perceived in different ways. You can observe (contemplate), catch the clear connection of events, phenomena, facts, note the similarities and differences, problems and interests. And you can set a goal understandcauses events, the likelihood of their renewal, to determine the time of relevance (topicality, significance) of a particular problem, to understand the internal (regular) interconnection of interests, problems, actions, events.

Only scientific knowledge, which is aimed at serving active actions in society. Such actions are called public practice(transformative activity). Social science there is a cognitive side of social practice.

Different parts of the population are preoccupied with different problems. The part of the population that has the same type of stable (lasting and regularly renewing) social conditions and problems of life is called social group.

Society consists of social groups (the most numerous of them are classes). Each group has its own truth, its own ideas about what is good and what is bad in life, as well as what and how should be changed. In other words, social groups different interests, sometimes somewhat similar, and sometimes incompatible, even irreconcilable.

The totality of social groups - it is a social structure. The main thing here is the totality life problems groups, the similarities and differences of their interests, their ideas about desirable and undesirable changes, the direction of socially significant actions, etc.

People and social groups live and operate in the same society. Hence the inevitability interactions, relationships social groups and classes. The forms of such relationships are varied: civil accord, partnership, alliances, compromises, peace initiative, conflicts, enmity, pressure, strike, struggle, picket, civil disobedience, violence, threat, civil war, etc. And all this is politics.

Politics there is a relationship between social groups (classes). This definition is the most accurate and fairly complete. There are no societies without politics.

Statehood- a civilized form of political relations in society that has been hard-won and engendered by mankind.

Social politics. Social status

If social groups collide (or cooperate) over economic matters, then this is an economic policy, if about the natural environment, its condition and use, then this is an environmental policy. There is social policy, demographic, cultural, educational and other policies (spheres of relationships).

Social politics reflects the relationship of social groups regarding the preservation and change of the social status of the population, its constituent classes, strata, social, socio-demographic, socio-professional groups, social communities (families, peoples, the population of a city, village, region, etc.).

The main topic of social policy is social status certain parts of the people, the people as a whole.

Social status- this is the main, complex characteristic of the vital activity of the population as a whole and its constituent parts. The social position is formed as a result of the action of a system of essential factors (causes) that form the social conditions for the existence and development of the structural parts of society.

Social status parameters - These are specific measures of social status, its qualitative and quantitative characteristics (indicators and assessments), the system of which allows to reliably and with necessary and sufficient certainty judge the real, predictable or programmed social status and comprehensively assess its state (achieved milestone).

The parameters of social status are also used when determining qualitative correlative levels welfare(poverty, prosperity, poverty, wealth, etc.).

In a practical sense, under social policy usually understand a set (system) of specific measures and activities, aimed at the life support of the population. Depending on who is the main initiator (subject) of these measures, a distinction is made between types of social policy - state, regional, corporate etc. Such a terminological approach has a right to exist, but it does not provide an opportunity for a deep, essential understanding of a social phenomenon. With such a narrow interpretation of social policy, for example, the absence of measures and measures makes it possible to conclude that there is no social policy as such. However, it always takes place - and not only in the theoretical, but also in the practical sense. Another thing is that social policy can be erroneous, weak, deformed. In a broad sense and from a scientific point of view, it is not so much a system of measures and measures as a system of relationships and interactions between social groups, social strata of society, in the center of which is the main ultimate goal of which is a person, his welfare, social protection and social development, life support and social security of the population as a whole.

Object and subject of social policy- the concept is not linear, but multilevel and systemic. By by and large the object and subject of social policy coincide with the main elements, blocks and structures that are part of a large single complex - the social and labor sphere (STS). STS is a system of interconnected components and parts: branches of the social sphere (education, health care, culture, sports, tourism, housing and communal services, etc.); labor market, employment, unemployment; social partnership; social protection; pay and labor protection; social insurance; the pension system, etc. While pursuing a social policy, it is important to keep in sight all its directions, not disregarding any of them. For example, it is hardly possible to recognize as strong and correct a social policy within which preference is given to the development of education, culture, etc. to the detriment of solving problems of employment, retirement benefits, etc.

Social policy at the federal level, at the level of the constituent entity of the Federation and the relevant governing bodies is predominantly of a framework, normative-setting nature (relevant laws, decrees, decrees, etc. are being worked out and adopted). A real, concrete social policy is carried out, as they say, face to face with a specific person, as a rule, at the district, municipal and corporate level. It is here that it finds its final embodiment and fixes its effectiveness and impact.

The essence of politics in general and social politics in particular is revealed through the relationship of stable elements of the social structure - social groups. The stability of such groups is reproduced due to the action of a complex of social conditions for their existence and development.

Social groups, structural parts of the people (society) are an undoubted reality. They may or may not act, be aware or unaware of their interests, organize themselves to act in society, or be politically unorganized. They can be active acting social forces (real subjects of politics) and passive unorganized participants in social processes (potential, formal subjects).

Subjects of social policy- these are really independent and actually operating social groups and their representative bodies, organizations, institutions, structures. In addition to the social groups themselves, the organizational structures that represent their interests also belong to the subjects of politics. It turns out that the subjects are, as it were, bifurcated (doubled). For example, pilots, writers, scientists, miners are different social and professional groups. They created their own organizations: the Civil Aviation Flight Personnel Union, the Writers 'Union, the Academy of Sciences, the Miners' Union. Class political organizations, unions, associations, movements are being created. And all of this characters social policy, its subjects.

The main functions of social policy

In whatever historical conditions social policy proceeds, whatever its historical type may take shape, there is always a circle of more or less constant, typical, recurring problems that make up its real content. This refers to the issues of the state and needs of improving the social status, social conditions of life of various social groups.

The main functions (main tasks, directions) of social policy:

1. Ensuring social sustainability, social security of society. The social structure can be different in different societies, qualitatively change in history and in one society as a result of revolutions and revolutionary reforms. But it must have the properties of stability and self-renewal (dynamism), otherwise this society falls into decay, collapses, ceases to exist. The social structure must be so stable as to withstand both internal and external dangers and at the same time to bear within itself the potential for qualitative renewal through reforms and revolutions.

All currently existing societies and the modern world order are based on the forced social donation of some social groups and countries in favor of others (on exploitation). The relationship of compulsory social donation is basically antagonistic. The problem of social sustainability is to avoid overt manifestations of antagonism, including wars between countries and civil wars.

The ruling classes have accumulated a historical experience of power conservation of antagonisms, suppression of uprisings and revolutions, prohibition and discrediting of liberation ideologies, movements and parties. But they, especially in the 20th century, have also accumulated a wealth of experience in maintaining social security by compromising the interests of countries and classes, establishing mechanisms for the social orientation of antagonistically contradictory processes. Examples are known: social market economy, welfare state, international aid to underdeveloped countries, etc. The central point in such cases is always a large-scale power (state) redistribution of part of the effect in favor of social donors, which compensates for their potential massive dissatisfaction with the social injustice of the exploiting system.

A prominent theorist and practitioner of the social market economy, the former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany V. Brandt said: “... Society can more or less fully satisfy the claims of all citizens to a decent life only when it imposes the duty to take care of this on the state, better to say, on the welfare state ... We regard the welfare state as an institutional guarantor of human dignity, including the human dignity of an ordinary man and an ordinary woman ... ".

2. Ensuring the political stability of the authorities. Such stability is achieved in different ways in societies of different types and in different specific historical conditions, but the essence always comes down to such a distribution of the real participation of social groups (classes) in political decisions, which would keep the dominant influence in the power of the ruling class. Otherwise, the class type of power changes and revolutionary transformations become inevitable.

3. Ensuring such a distribution of power in the economy (property), which would be recognized by the majority as fair, not requiring a struggle for redistribution.

4. Establishment of such a system of distribution of economic resources and economic effect, which would more or less suit the overwhelming majority of the population. The distribution of economic resources to a decisive extent depends on the material living conditions of people in society, the possibility of solving the problems of different social groups. Investments and their structure, the level and differentiation of income, the aggregate size and structure of annual social expenditures, conditions and amounts of social assistance and support - these and other economic parameters have social meaning and social purpose.

5. Providing the society and the state with the necessary and sufficient level of environmental safety.

6. Providing society and the state with the necessary and sufficient level of social protection for both the population as a whole and each of the social groups.

Social security- one of the social values, it presupposes an objective positive socio-psychological assessment by social subjects of a given concrete historical society as a living environment. The feeling of social security arises and is stable if social group or the population as a whole realizes that social risks are purposefully reduced by society and the state to the extent that they cannot significantly disrupt the normal social situation.

Risks are called social social origin, namely the probable dangers, threats of violation of the normal (for a given society) social position, caused by reasons that cannot be eliminated for a given society, rooted in its very specific historical structure.

Socially significant violation can be considered a significant deviation from the social norm of any or several critical parameters social status of a particular social group.

The risks of disrupting the normal social position have different nature, i.e. arise and can be reproduced for various reasons (natural disasters, military operations, epidemics, revolutions, coups, demographic explosions and failures, etc.). Social risks are distinguished in the system of risks by the fact that they arise and exist not in extraordinary, but in ordinary (normal) conditions of the development of society, naturally (and not accidentally) accompany the normal functioning of society and, moreover, have their reasons for the basic social relations, normal (everyday, regular) social order.

Society generates and develops a system of protection against social risks - social protection. This is one of the functions of social policy. It must be implemented by society and the state so that social security is felt by the population as a whole and by each social group.

Question 2. Interrelation and interdependence of social policy and economics

The effectiveness of the implementation of social policy at any level (federal, regional, corporate), as you know, largely depends on the economy, budgetary support, financial resources state, subjects of the Federation, municipalities, enterprises, etc. Without sufficient financial resources, it is difficult to talk about the adequate development of education, health care, culture, the housing and communal sector, the labor market, about ensuring social protection of the population, about the timely payment of wages, pensions, benefits, etc.

The unsatisfactory development of the social sphere, the growth of poverty, unemployment, including in hidden forms, failures in the provision of housing and communal services to the population living primarily in the territories of the Russian North, other acute social upheavals are largely explained by economic problems and mistakes in the formation of the expenditure side of budgets, when unreasonably limited funds are provided for financing social events.

At the right approach social policy itself and the social and labor sphere, which is its basis, can and should have an active influence on economic growth, financial flows and budgetary policy. The logic behind this thesis is as follows.

The exit of Russia and its regions from the crisis is primarily associated with the solution of the problems of production development. It is precisely this question that rests on the problem of the formation of the revenue side of budgets, the deficit of finance and monetary resources, including for the implementation of social policy. Fisher's formula clearly demonstrates that there should be as much money in society as there is created (in monetary terms) goods and services:

M V = Q P, where:

M is the volume of the money supply in the country;

V is the rate of turnover of the money supply;

Q is the volume of goods and services (GDP);

P is the average price of goods and services.

It is quite obvious that social policy and the social and labor sphere are not passive. They, while requiring significant financial resources for self-launch and development, at the same time actively influence the economy, economic growth, GDP dynamics, the trajectory of society towards progress. For example, it is extremely clear that without effective employment, the organization of a system of powerful incentives for labor, education, health care, culture, etc. it is impossible to develop production, increase the volume of goods and services (Q), other micro- and macroeconomic indicators. And this requires an appropriate attitude to the social and labor sphere and social policy on the part of the state, its legislative and executive bodies, employers, entrepreneurs and owners.

There are many examples of the reverse impact of social policy and the social and labor sphere on society and the economy. Here is one of them. The state and employers spend huge amounts of money on the development and implementation of the pension system. It would seem that this is a purely social measure that has no outlet for the economic component. After all, a pensioner no longer works, he does not produce products, does not participate in the creation of GDP, etc. But this is a superficial view. In fact, if the pension system has been worked out from the standpoint of social justice, if the size of the pension directly depends on the results and quality of “past” work in the pre-retirement age and the employee knows about it, then such a pension system will be a good incentive for productive work and production development.

A similar relationship exists between economic efficiency, on the one hand, and the solution of the problems of employment, labor protection, social insurance, development of the branches of culture, health care, science, education, on the other. Thus, the economy and social policy are organically interconnected and interdependent, which requires a correct and balanced choice of priorities for their coordinated development both at the federal and regional levels.

Labor economics

It is impossible to deeply and comprehensively analyze social policy, especially in relation to the sphere of production and services, without understanding the essence and content labor economics. This is the subject scientific research, educational disciplines, practical activities specialists and scientists of state and public structures (ministries and committees of labor, employment, trade unions, etc.). However, as evidenced by the analysis of special literature, among scientists and practitioners there is not only a unified understanding of the essence and content of the term "labor economics", but also general approaches to the baptism of this theoretical and methodological problem have not been determined. Even many textbooks and teaching aids for the course "Labor Economics" bypass the question of the essence of the key category for this academic discipline. Considering the basic, fundamental, initial value of defining and clarifying the essence and content of labor economics for the study of the discipline "social policy", let us dwell on this issue in more detail.

Reference dictionaries (including recent years release), reflect a wide range of ideas about the very essence of the concept. In some dictionaries on the market economy, it is absent, while others define the economy as "a set of industries", "a set of industrial relations", "a system of economic sciences that study economic relations in society", "the science of economics, how people manage it, and relations between people. in the process of production and exchange of goods, on the laws governing the course of economic processes ", etc. Sometimes the economy (country, republic, region) is understood too narrowly, reduced to separate spheres or sectors of management, isolated processes and phenomena (for example, to a set of enterprises, finance, tax policy, pricing, etc.). Such a theoretical approach to economics cannot be ruled out. However, there are no grounds for its absolutization either: it can give rise to practical problems. Measures to improve and develop the economy will in fact be directed not at the economy, but only at its individual constituent parts. By the way, this is the basis for the strategy and tactics of limited activity of economic power structures, primarily the ministries of economy, at the federal and regional levels, subjectivity in the choice of priorities in the work of the latter, etc.

In this regard, and taking into account the noted under the economy country or region in broad reproductive terms it is advisable to understand a dynamic socially organized economic system that ensures the process of production, distribution, exchange and consumption of socially useful material goods and services 1.

This approach to defining the essence of the economy makes it possible to clearly and reasonably form economic concepts, programs, forecasts, as well as professionally plan the organization of the work of economic bodies, determine their functions, tasks, priorities. In particular, programs and plans for the development of the country's economy (regions, oblasts, districts, etc.) should primarily contain sections related to production of goods and services(about workers, employers, enterprises, industries, districts, relevant ministries, district administrations, problems of privatization, economic regulation, etc.). This is a key part of economic documents and the primary task of economic bodies.

Other sections cover processes distribution and exchange(pricing and relevant authorities and services, sales organizations, wholesale depots, etc.). Finally, these are the sections related to consumption(about employees, enterprises, organizations, social sphere, civil service, etc.).

Labor is a process of conscious, purposeful activity of people, with the help of which they modify objects of nature and adapt them to meet their needs. The labor process includes three main points: expedient human activity, i.e. labor itself; the subject of labor to which the labor is directed; means of labor, with the help of which a person influences the subject of labor. However, the main condition for labor activity is the availability of labor force. In this regard, with a certain degree of convention (in the narrow sense), the labor economy can be considered the basis of labor economics.

Labor economics- it is a dynamic socially organized system in which the process of reproduction of the labor force takes place: its production, formation (training, education, professional development of workers, etc.), distribution, exchange and consumption (use), as well as conditions for the interaction of the employee, means, objects of labor and the process of interaction itself.

The process of production (formation) of labor (ability to work), i.e. employee training begins with school, it continues in universities, colleges, workplaces, training institutes, internships, etc. The process of distribution and exchange of labor, as a rule, takes place in the labor market with the participation of three subjects of the institution of social partnership - employers, employees and the state, as well as directly at the enterprise (this is hiring, rotation of employees, dismissal, etc.). The exchange of labor also implies an equivalent exchange for its price, i.e. wages.

The consumption (use) of labor is carried out directly at the workplace, in the labor process. It is accompanied by the production of specific socially useful products, services, semi-finished products, etc. In order for an employee to start working, to be able to obtain the required results, appropriate conditions are necessary: ​​preparation of the workplace, organization, security, labor incentives, social protection, etc.

Labor economics as a science studies the socio-economic relations that develop in the process of production, distribution, exchange and consumption of labor, providing conditions for productive labor, its protection, etc., and social policy is designed to contribute to the growth of the efficiency of the labor economy.

Question 3. Social and labor sphere as the basis of social policy

IN recent times the concept is often used "Social and labor sphere (STS)", which was mentioned above. It reflects the object and subject of social policy, the unity and interdependence of labor and social relations, and also characterizes the degree of social development. In practice, labor relations (between labor and capital, an employee and an employer) rarely exist in a pure form, without a social component, and vice versa, social relations often arise as a result of labor processes, accompanying contradictions, conflicts, etc. The social and labor sphere quite fully reflects all phases of the reproduction of the labor force and its social support. With a certain degree of convention, the economy of labor (in the broad sense) can also be understood as the economy of the social and labor sphere.

The main blocks of the STS are those that reflect and provide the phases of the labor force reproduction process:

Social sphere, i.e. branches of the social and cultural complex (education, health care, culture, etc.);

Labor market, employment services, retraining of personnel (including the unemployed);

The sphere of motivations for productive labor (organization of labor remuneration, stabilization of the standard of living of the population, etc.).

The next block includes groups of relations and components that arise in the process of reproduction of labor and providing conditions for the interaction of the employee with the means and objects of labor:

The system of social protection of the population;

Social partnership system;

Social insurance system;

Social security system (pension system);

Labor protection, etc.

Social policy is closely related to the concept of "social market economy". Let us consider how the concepts of "social market economy" and "market economy" are related. Explanations of the type: “The essence of the social market economy is aimed at a person, his development, the growth of welfare” - are trivial, superficial and imprecise. Even more doubtful is the thesis that the market economy itself automatically, without outside interference, regulates the standard of living of the population, the ratio of social justice and economic efficiency (freedom and order).

The market economy, the main goal and task of which is the growth of production efficiency and profit, is the core of the social market economy. Of course, achieving the main goal, the market economy to some extent solves some social issues - employment, payment of wages for the results of labor, etc. However, it is based on competition and does not care about social justice. Social justice, social protection are provided primarily through state intervention in the economy (redistribution of created benefits, tax policy, legal support, etc.). The state, by its own will, turns the market economy towards the interests of the people and gives it the character of a social market economy. Under these conditions, it often sacrifices economic efficiency for the sake of social protection of the population. This thesis is illustrated, in particular, by facts from the practice of countries with a social market economy (Japan, Sweden): adding sound signals to traffic lights, special lifts on public transport for disabled people, etc.

So, one of the most important criteria of a social market economy is the priority of social protection, social justice over economic efficiency, which is given for the sake of social peace in society and is ensured primarily in the process of implementing state social policy.