The Principle of the Social State in the Constitution of a Subject of the Russian Federation (the case study of the Republic of Kalmykia)

Abstract

Purpose: The principle of the social state being one of bases of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation finds its reflection in the texts of the basic laws of the territorial subjects of the Russian Federation (Constitutions of the republics and Charters of other territorial subjects of the Russian Federation). In this regard, the issue of interrelation of this principle with other provisions of basic laws of the territorial subjects of the Russian Federation, in particular, with those regulating the social rights and freedoms of an individual and a citizen is of theoretical and practical value. In the Republic of Kalmykia, this specifi c principle fixed in the Constitution of the Republic has its distinctive features which are explained by the peculiarities of the constitutional regulation of the basic law of Kalmykia. Methods: The methods used in the research are historical, comparative and legal ones. Results: The author comes up to the following outcomes: - the principle of the social state as a basis of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation is enshrined in the Steppe Code (Constitution) of the Republic of Kalmykia, and at the same time it is a basis of the constitutional system of the Republic that proves the subsequent constitutional guarantees for realization of this principle (direct implementation of the constitutional norms consolidating the social human rights of an individual and a citizen, their priority along with other rights in the legal system of the state (statehood), activities of the public authorities and local governments, judicial protection, etc.); - the term ‘citizen’ in the text of the Steppe Code (Constitution) of RK in its interrelation with the established rights and freedoms is synonymous to the concept of ‘the rights and freedoms of an individual and a citizen’, i.e. is not attached strictly to the citizenship status; - the social basis of regional statehood finds its embodiment in the Steppe Code (Constitution) of RK and includes the existing norms directed at maintaining the social stability in the society, interethnic peace and harmony. Discussion: According to the author, as in the case with some other territorial subjects of the Russian Federation, the Steppe Code (Constitution) of RK could be supplemented with the regulations on some additional constitutional guarantees providing realization and protection of the social human rights of an individual and a citizen, for instance with those on the bases of the state social standards in the Republic of Kalmykia, the strategic guidelines for social and economic development, the state guarantees for welfare systems, etc.