Social problem as a unit of theoretical analysis and a subject of activity of a social state (ontological approach)

The social state is one of the most important institutions of modern democratic society. The aim of the study is to analyze the problem field of this state on the basis of ontological approach. The unit of analysis is the social problem, which expresses at the essential level the contradiction between the real and the proper, system and life worlds, and at the social level – the contradiction between people as representatives of classes and other groups of society, arising from the lack of resources and in connection with dissatisfaction with the quality of their lives. Therefore, the main purpose of the social state is to solve social problems at the social level and, first of all, to smooth out class contradictions by redistributing resources to the poor, and in the long term-by creating conditions for the free development of all people, regardless of their socio – class origin. Social problems are the subject of complex and interdisciplinary research. In addition, each social science (social theory, sociology, social psychology, etc.) offers its ontological model: for example, the general social or societal (social class and socio-spatial). Philosophy and social theory consider these problems as a particular slice of the general problems of social reality, including in the context of the interaction between the systemic and vital worlds of society. Sociology, on the other hand, concentrates around the problems arising from the class division of modern capitalist society. They are complemented by a socio-spatial model. The article analyzes the system of ontological coordinates, within the framework of which their general social, societal (class and spatial) signs of social problems are determined, and their formal and substantive aspects are revealed.The author gives a description of the functions of the social state, correlating them with the main ways of solving social problems. Depending on the nature of the problems to be solved, it also distinguishes three types of social state: problems-consequences (minimalist state), problems-causes (state with the development of the social protection system) and problems-means (state of personal well-being). Each of them has its own set of strategies for solving social problems. In conclusion, the author comes to the conclusion that Russia, which is experiencing an acute social crisis today, is at the stage of transition from a minimalist to a developing model of a social state, which provides for the practical implementation of constitutional norms and radical social reforms, affecting the foundations of the social order.