The Social Contract as an Instrument of State Policy to Reduce Poverty

Goal. The article analyzes new approaches in the state policy of Russia to reduce poverty. The essence of the social contract as a tool for solving issues of state social assistance to low-income families (citizens) and improving the level and quality of their life is revealed. The results of experimental activities of 21 regions on the introduction of a social contract in the practice of providing state assistance are considered.Methods. The study uses a set of general scientific methods, such as analysis, synthesis, generalization, system-functional and integrated approach. Within the framework of the stated topic, the systematization of theoretical provisions and modern approaches is carried out on the basis of studying the works of various authors, regulatory documents of the federal and regional level, official statistics.Results. The theoretical and practical significance of the presented research consists in the concretization and systematization of modern strategic approaches of the state policy of Russia, both in the field of overcoming poverty and in the provision of state social assistance to low-income categories of citizens. These areas of state social policy have not yet been sufficiently studied by Russian science. The conducted analysis justifies the need for further improvement of state policy in this direction. The obtained materials allow us to highlight the positive results achieved by the regions to date and identify the ways that led to them, which can contribute to the further development of the state social policy to overcome poverty and the system of state social assistance to poor categories of citizens.Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty lies in the study of the state policy of Russia to reduce the level of poverty of the population, as one of the most acute problems. The article shows new strategies in the state social policy, identifies its weaknesses and strengths.