The theory of the social compact and its reflection in the public and political space of Russia
Research Article
Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project 23-18-00093 “The fate of the social contract in Russia: the evolution of ideas and lessons of implementation” https://rscf.ru/en/project/23-18-00093/
How to Cite
Vorobyova I.V. The theory of the social compact and its reflection in the public and political space of Russia. Science. Culture. Society. 2025. Vol. 31. No. 1. P. 26-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19181/nko.2025.31.1.2 (in Russ.).
Abstract
This article examines the foundations of the coexistence and interaction of state power, society, individual social groups and communities within the framework of the concept of a “social compact”. The author shows that the theory of the social compact is the ideological basis of the relationship between the state, society and citizens. The article explains the origin of the state as an institution within which the rights and freedoms of citizens are realized and their protection and security are ensured. The social contract is considered as a kind of ideological structure that ensures a balance between the interests of the majority of the population and political power and serves as an indicator of the stability and stability of the state. This concept is becoming particularly relevant both in the situation of government elections and in the general understanding of the problems of public trust, solidarity, and citizens' support for the existing political course. The author considers the possibility of the existence of a social compact in the public and political space of modern Russia through the following parameters: the public goal/idea of building a society, means and methods of achieving it, people's approval of the current government and trust in it, compliance of the policy with the interests of citizens, coordination of interests and priorities of various social groups and communities.
Keywords:
social compact, social contract, social idea, state power, civil society, public trust, solidarity
References
1. Toshchenko Zh. T. Social contract as a noumenon: the experience of sociological understanding. Sociological Studies. 2023;(6):3–15. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31857/S013216250026379-9.
2. Gobbs T. Leviathan, or the matter, form and power of a commonwealth ecclesiastical and civil. Moscow: Mysl'; 2001. (In Russ.). ISBN 5-244-00966-4.
3. Locke J. Two treatises of government. In: Locke J. Essays in 3 volumes. Vol. 3. Moscow: Mysl'; 1988. (In Russ.). P. 137–407.
4. Rousseau J. J. Du contrat social: traités. Moscow: Kanon-press, Kuchkovo pole; 1998. (In Russ.). ISBN 5-87533-113-5.
5. Holbach P. Éléments de la morale universelle, ou Catéchisme de la nature. In: Holbach P. Selected works: in 2 volumes. Vol. 2. Moscow: Sotsekgiz; 1963. (In Russ.). P. 6–82.
6. Buchanan J. The limits of liberty: between anarchy and Leviathan. Munitsipal'naya ekonomika. 2016;(1):2–14. (In Russ.).
7. Rawls J. A Theory of justice. Moscow: URSS; 2017. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-453-00137-8.
8. Freeman S. Justice and the social contract: essays on Rawlsian political philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007. DOI 10.1093/oso/9780195301410.001.0001.
9. D'Agostino F., Gaus G., Thrasher J. Contemporary approaches to the social contract. In: Zalta E. N., Nodelman U. (eds.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2014. Available at: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/contractarianism-contemporary/ (accessed: 11.01.2025).
10. Olson M. Power and Prosperity : outgrowing Communist and Capitalist Dictatorships. Moscow: Novoe izdatel'stvo; 2012. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-98379-168-8.
11. Auzan A. A. Social contract and civil society. Universe of Russia. 2005;14(3):3–18. (In Russ.).
12. Toshchenko Zh. T. The social contract: the evolution of ideas. Rossiya reformiruyushchayasya. 2023;21:98–121. (In Russ.). DOI 10.19181/ezheg.2023.4.
13. Abramzon T. E., Petrov A. V. (2017). Odic versions of the “Social Contract” in 18th-century Russia. Quaestio Rossica. 2017;5(2):406–424. (In Russ.). DOI 10.15826/qr.2017.2.233.
14. Gorokhov P. A., Vyalykh V. V. Contemporary revisions of the social contract idea. Theory and Practice of Social Development. 2013;(11):19–23. (In Russ.).
15. Makarenko V. P. Social contract and the problem of tacit consent. Polis. Political Studies. 2012;(2):141–151. (In Russ.).
16. Ravochkin N. N. Social contract: ideas genesis and modification in the new European social philosophy. Eurasian Law Journal. 2020;(2):496–498. (In Russ.).
17. Rakhinsky D. V., Panasenko G. V., Ravochkin N. N. Social contract: about approaches to its theoretization and its philosophical prospects. Philosophical Thought. 2023;(10):10–21. (In Russ.). DOI 10.25136/2409-8728.2023.10.48490.
18. Yavlinsky G. A. Social contract – the basis of long-term economic strategy. Universe of Russia. 2005;14(4):3–29. (In Russ.).
19. Pakhomova E. A. (2015). Consumer paternalism as a part of the public contract in Russia. Philosophy of Law. 2015;(3):71–75. (In Russ.).
20. Vorobyova I. V. Paul Holbach’s ideas about the social contract and their significance for nowadays. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):67–78. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-67-78.
21. Kuchenkova A. V. Popular sovereignty and the right to revolt in the conception of the social contract by J.J. Rousseau. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):79–88. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-79-88.
22. Tartygasheva G. V. The idea of a social contract in the writings of Thomas Hobbes. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):89–99. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-89-99.
23. Balatsky E. V., Ekimova N. A. Social contract phenomenon: evolution of concepts and modern interpretations. Journal of Applied Economic Research. 2022;21(3):604–636. (In Russ.). DOI 10.15826/vestnik.2022.21.3.021.
24. Balatsky E. V., Ekimova N. A. Social contract in Russia: before and after 2022. Journal of Institutional Studies. 2022;14(3):74–90. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17835/2076-6297.2022.14.3.074-090.
25. Voronin Yu. V., Stolyarov A. V. On the issue of development new social contract. Courier of Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL). 2019;(11):83–97. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17803/2311-5998.2019.63.11.083-097.
26. Levashov V. K., Velikaya N. M., Shushpanova I. S. [et al.]. How are you, Russia? Express information. 54th stage of the sociological monitoring, April 2024. Moscow: FCTAS RAS; 2024. (In Russ.). DOI 10.19181/monogr.978-5-89697-429-1.2024.
27. Osipov G. V., Lokosov V. V. (eds.). Russia: subjective and objective factors in overcoming crisis: social and socio-political situation in Russia – 2009 year. Moscow: ISPI RAN; 2010. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-7556-0431-4.
28. Aivazova S. G., Aleshina M. V., Alferova A. B. [et al.]. Civil and political in Russian public practices. Moscow: Politicheskaya entsiklopediya; 2013. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-8243-1783-1.
2. Gobbs T. Leviathan, or the matter, form and power of a commonwealth ecclesiastical and civil. Moscow: Mysl'; 2001. (In Russ.). ISBN 5-244-00966-4.
3. Locke J. Two treatises of government. In: Locke J. Essays in 3 volumes. Vol. 3. Moscow: Mysl'; 1988. (In Russ.). P. 137–407.
4. Rousseau J. J. Du contrat social: traités. Moscow: Kanon-press, Kuchkovo pole; 1998. (In Russ.). ISBN 5-87533-113-5.
5. Holbach P. Éléments de la morale universelle, ou Catéchisme de la nature. In: Holbach P. Selected works: in 2 volumes. Vol. 2. Moscow: Sotsekgiz; 1963. (In Russ.). P. 6–82.
6. Buchanan J. The limits of liberty: between anarchy and Leviathan. Munitsipal'naya ekonomika. 2016;(1):2–14. (In Russ.).
7. Rawls J. A Theory of justice. Moscow: URSS; 2017. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-453-00137-8.
8. Freeman S. Justice and the social contract: essays on Rawlsian political philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007. DOI 10.1093/oso/9780195301410.001.0001.
9. D'Agostino F., Gaus G., Thrasher J. Contemporary approaches to the social contract. In: Zalta E. N., Nodelman U. (eds.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2014. Available at: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/contractarianism-contemporary/ (accessed: 11.01.2025).
10. Olson M. Power and Prosperity : outgrowing Communist and Capitalist Dictatorships. Moscow: Novoe izdatel'stvo; 2012. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-98379-168-8.
11. Auzan A. A. Social contract and civil society. Universe of Russia. 2005;14(3):3–18. (In Russ.).
12. Toshchenko Zh. T. The social contract: the evolution of ideas. Rossiya reformiruyushchayasya. 2023;21:98–121. (In Russ.). DOI 10.19181/ezheg.2023.4.
13. Abramzon T. E., Petrov A. V. (2017). Odic versions of the “Social Contract” in 18th-century Russia. Quaestio Rossica. 2017;5(2):406–424. (In Russ.). DOI 10.15826/qr.2017.2.233.
14. Gorokhov P. A., Vyalykh V. V. Contemporary revisions of the social contract idea. Theory and Practice of Social Development. 2013;(11):19–23. (In Russ.).
15. Makarenko V. P. Social contract and the problem of tacit consent. Polis. Political Studies. 2012;(2):141–151. (In Russ.).
16. Ravochkin N. N. Social contract: ideas genesis and modification in the new European social philosophy. Eurasian Law Journal. 2020;(2):496–498. (In Russ.).
17. Rakhinsky D. V., Panasenko G. V., Ravochkin N. N. Social contract: about approaches to its theoretization and its philosophical prospects. Philosophical Thought. 2023;(10):10–21. (In Russ.). DOI 10.25136/2409-8728.2023.10.48490.
18. Yavlinsky G. A. Social contract – the basis of long-term economic strategy. Universe of Russia. 2005;14(4):3–29. (In Russ.).
19. Pakhomova E. A. (2015). Consumer paternalism as a part of the public contract in Russia. Philosophy of Law. 2015;(3):71–75. (In Russ.).
20. Vorobyova I. V. Paul Holbach’s ideas about the social contract and their significance for nowadays. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):67–78. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-67-78.
21. Kuchenkova A. V. Popular sovereignty and the right to revolt in the conception of the social contract by J.J. Rousseau. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):79–88. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-79-88.
22. Tartygasheva G. V. The idea of a social contract in the writings of Thomas Hobbes. RSUH/RGGU bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):89–99. (In Russ.). DOI 10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-89-99.
23. Balatsky E. V., Ekimova N. A. Social contract phenomenon: evolution of concepts and modern interpretations. Journal of Applied Economic Research. 2022;21(3):604–636. (In Russ.). DOI 10.15826/vestnik.2022.21.3.021.
24. Balatsky E. V., Ekimova N. A. Social contract in Russia: before and after 2022. Journal of Institutional Studies. 2022;14(3):74–90. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17835/2076-6297.2022.14.3.074-090.
25. Voronin Yu. V., Stolyarov A. V. On the issue of development new social contract. Courier of Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL). 2019;(11):83–97. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17803/2311-5998.2019.63.11.083-097.
26. Levashov V. K., Velikaya N. M., Shushpanova I. S. [et al.]. How are you, Russia? Express information. 54th stage of the sociological monitoring, April 2024. Moscow: FCTAS RAS; 2024. (In Russ.). DOI 10.19181/monogr.978-5-89697-429-1.2024.
27. Osipov G. V., Lokosov V. V. (eds.). Russia: subjective and objective factors in overcoming crisis: social and socio-political situation in Russia – 2009 year. Moscow: ISPI RAN; 2010. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-7556-0431-4.
28. Aivazova S. G., Aleshina M. V., Alferova A. B. [et al.]. Civil and political in Russian public practices. Moscow: Politicheskaya entsiklopediya; 2013. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-8243-1783-1.
Article
Received: 11.01.2025
Accepted: 28.03.2025
Citation Formats
Other cite formats:
APA
Vorobyova, I. V. (2025). The theory of the social compact and its reflection in the public and political space of Russia. Science. Culture. Society, 31(1), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.19181/nko.2025.31.1.2
Section
Politics and social sphere of society
1.jpg)
