Modern society is unthinkable without a state, which plays a significant role in its life. Together with society, all its institutions are developing, one of which is the state. This development is a natural historical process, it occurs according to objective laws. Among these laws, or rather, the manifestations of their action, there are also functions of the state. The concept, features, classification of these characteristic features of any state are described in this article.
Interpretation of functions
Today in modern legal journals you can see up to several dozen definitions of state functions. Most jurists consider this concept as fundamental directions of the state’s work, which simultaneously express its social purpose and essence. In interpreting the word “functions”, legal scholars also use such terms as management, goals, impact, tasks, thus identifying them with the activities of the state.
Some authors of legal works argue that the functions of the state determine what it should do in order to achieve the goals and objectives that it faces. At the same time, the functions of the state are only a direction of its activity, therefore, one should not assume that they mean all the activities of this institution of society. Also, do not confuse them with tasks and goals. The function of the state is the direction coordinated for the proper operation of the state mechanism.
Having studied some literary works, one can understand that the functions of the state fall not only on its external and internal activities, but also on the various state mechanisms that influence the environment and the processes occurring in it. So, the state, carrying out any of its functions in various areas of society, carries out all kinds of reforms, transformations, carries out legal regulation, that is, it thereby affects social processes.
Signs
As you can see, the functions of the state in society are interpreted by different jurists differently and variedly. Equally diverse are the signs of state functions. If we combine all the definitions of signs and reflect all the conditions in them, then we can come to the following.
- In the functions of countries of various historical types, their peculiarities and patterns of formation, the dynamics of socio-economic, socio-political and spiritual transformations in the life of society are found and objectified.
- An active service mission materializes and opens in the functions as the most important part of the superstructure in relation to its own basis, and multifaceted actual functioning within the state and in the international arena is carried out.
- The functions of the Russian state naturally express and really concretize its class and human essence. Their meaning provides for the class, mass, national and personal interests of members of society.
- The functions of the state, the concept, the content, the classification of which vary depending on the stage of development of the country, appear and are formed in proportion to its historical tasks and goals. The Federation fulfills its public mission by implementing the functions that are appropriate for it, which are stably formed key courses of its activities.
Classification
In order to streamline the very numerous and varied functions assigned to the state, they were divided into species. The concept and classification of state functions help to separate one function aimed at accomplishing a mission from another, for which this goal is completely different. In the system of state and law, it is supposed to divide them into the following types.
- Social significance. The functions of the state in this case are divided into main and derivatives. The former in this case have priority in their implementation. These include social function, environmental and economic. Derivatives are functions that complement the main ones. For example, the development of scientific activity is a derivative function of social.
- By field of activity, they can be divided into 2 functions of the state - these are internal and external. From the names of these species themselves, it can be understood that internal functions are designed to solve some goals and tasks within the country, they have a direct impact on society within the state. These include social, economic functions, law enforcement, health care development, etc. External activities include all kinds of activities for cooperation with other states. Among the external functions can be noted the defense of the state, activities aimed at maintaining peace and others.
- The third division of functions occurs by the duration of their action. They can be both temporary and permanent. Temporary functions, unlike permanent ones, are carried out for a certain period of time. With the end of this period, the need for them disappears. As a rule, temporary functions are carried out in some transitional stages. Constants, on the contrary, are realized for a long time. Without their implementation, public order may be violated. The concept and classification of the function of the state, examples of its activities are quite diverse. So, the permanent functions include the economic function, law enforcement, tax and other functions.
And, although the fragmentation of the functions of the state is diverse, the greatest application both in legal works and in other areas is given to functions subdivided by the criteria of the sphere of activity.
Economic function
Already in the second half of the last century, the economic function began to be considered one of the main. The concept and classification of the function of the state and law in the economic field, its significance today is very great. Carrying out this function, the state regulates economic processes, builds the pace of economic growth. Such an innovation began to be the public sector of the economy, in which the state appears as an entrepreneur. Today, there are quite a lot of commercial organizations in which the state is either the sole founder (shareholder), or has a significant share of participation. In addition, he also appears as a major banker, since a huge part of the loan capital is concentrated in his hands. In general, now the state is able to regulate the processes in the field of economics taking place on a national scale.
If we apply this function to the example of Russia, we can observe that over the past decades many important elements of market relations have appeared in the country. This is the right of ownership, and freedom in economic terms, and functioning markets for goods and services. Along with this, there is a need to find the most optimal methods of participation in these economic processes, the need to develop effective regulation by the state, which will be compatible with market mechanisms.
Objectives of the economic function
The main tasks facing the country in the economic sphere are overseeing compliance with the required rules; protecting the interests of financial turnover players; definition of the main rules in the economy; implementation of economic activity; coordination of relationships between participants; assistance to non-state enterprises, expressed in support.
Many legal works devoted to this economic function of the state, the concept, content, the classification of which is very multifaceted, contain the main directions for solving the above problems. It:
- building the interests of Russian companies in the domestic and global markets, creating conditions for foreign investments;
- centralized investment strategy;
- assistance to strategic and socially significant industries;
- denationalization, demonopolization and state management;
- structural reorganization of the Russian economy;
- education legal principles of economic management and others.
The function under consideration is aimed at taking anti-crisis measures, its main goal is to find a market economy that is socially oriented. Moreover, such an economy should take into account the interests of all consumers and producers. To this end, the state issues normative acts on joint-stock companies, on companies, and other associations. The state also applies antitrust laws, introduces a licensing institution, supervises import and export of products, and stimulates the development of the most popular sectors of the economy at a given moment.
Social function
The functions of the modern state, the concept whose classification is given in this article, include a social function. The economic function is closely intertwined with the social. Just like the first, it is quite diverse, and if we proceed from its scope of activities carried out by the state, it is quite large-scale. The most important goal of this function is the removal of social tension, equalization of the social status of all citizens. She also pursues other goals, among which - the development of health care, culture, education and more.
State measures aimed at the implementation of this function, and accordingly, to achieve the tasks set, are carried out in the form of creating special funds, the funds of which are allocated for the development of a particular industry. The state is developing all kinds of programs aimed at stabilizing the employment of citizens, at reducing unemployment. In some cases, the state acts as a regulator, setting the minimum wage for citizens. Among the normative acts designed to ensure the functions and tasks of the state in the social sphere, it should be noted legislation on the family, on health protection, on social and pension insurance, and many others.
Culture, science, education
The concept and classification of state functions include the implementation of activities not only in the economy and social sphere. The state is called upon to support not only these areas, but also make every effort to develop culture. Among such areas of his activity, there is support for the development of television, literature, theater, architecture, music, the preservation of monuments, reserves, museums, etc.
In addition to culture, the state is obliged to implement measures for scientific and technological progress, which is expressed in sponsoring a variety of studies. In terms of education, the state regulates relations through laws on education, on physical education, etc.
Ecology
The concept and classification of state functions were supplemented by another important area. Recently, the country's ecological function has become one of the priority vectors of its activity. It consists in the adoption and implementation of programs aimed at protecting the environment, in the development of such programs both at the federal level and at the level of the constituent entities of the federation, in the regulation of environmental management, the establishment of environmental standards, and the monitoring of compliance by citizens and organizations with legislation protecting nature. There are many legislative acts regulating activities in the field of nature protection, and the Constitution and laws on subsoil, on environmental protection, radiation safety, and others are considered the main ones.
Law enforcement
This function is integral to any legal state. It includes protecting citizens and organizations from unlawful attacks, protecting their rights and interests, combating crime, protecting property, and preventing crime and crimes. If the state is democratic, then the function of law enforcement will be in his first place. In such a country, the observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens is a priority area of activity. In Russia, the Constitution recognizes these rights and freedoms, they are proclaimed the supreme value of the state, and their protection is considered a direct duty of the state.
External functions
Activities to solve any foreign policy problems are external functions of the state. The concept, features, classification of these functions are also considered by many jurists. It is noteworthy that they are changing along with the changes taking place in the world. So, literally in the last two decades, some of the external functions have disappeared, while others, on the contrary, have intensified. Among those who have disappeared, you can indicate, for example, functions for cooperation with countries in which socialism is developing, and measures to provide assistance to developing countries. Conversely, functions such as the defense of the country, cooperation to establish and maintain peace, have received more priority.
The defense of the Russian state currently occupies the most significant position in all foreign policy. She not only underwent changes in its content, but also received a new legislative basis. So, the state adopted laws on defense, on the status of military personnel and others. In order to implement the function under consideration, the state is modernizing the army, reconnaissance and counterintelligence, cooperation with other countries in the military sphere and other activities.
In order to support peace on the entire planet, Russia establishes close contacts with numerous states, participates in various assemblies, meetings, organizations, and other interstate events aimed at the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, reducing the number of nuclear weapons, and combating terrorism.
In addition to the above, the external functions of the Russian Federation include activities aimed at entering the world economy, resolving various global issues together with other states. Representatives of the country are part of international organizations that solve problems in the field of economics, trade, labor, technology, they are entrusted with missions to prevent and eliminate the results of major disasters that have occurred in the environment, etc.
Conclusion
Thus, the concept and classification of the functions of the state can be determined upon receipt of any important tasks. In turn, these goals and objectives can be different and depend on the stage of development of the state itself. At the same time, the main mission and goal of any country, including the Russian Federation, should be to ensure the well-being of people living on its territory. The development of state functions in this direction is a priority.