THEORETICAL BASIS OF SOCIAL POLICY MODERNIZATION

Abstract

The article examines the basic principles and disadvantages of the Welfare State model of social policy. It is determined that the content of such social policy is traditionally confined to social protection, to the provision of various types of social transfers to the poor, the so-called exclusive persons. Hence, we have an established point of view of social policy identification exclusively with the policy of protecting citizens from adverse social and economic circumstances, from poverty. In this case, people are passive members of the process and lack motivation for productive activity. This practice has led to the consolidation of views on social policy solely as a policy of survival and overcoming. Therefore, the author believes that the implementation of modern social policy in the twenty-first century should take place in a different way than through social protection system. The main purpose of this article is to recognize the need to modernize social policy at the beginning of the third millennium. Social inclusion can become a theoretical basis for modernization. The article substantiates the need to change the approach to social policy, the importance of its modernization. This study considers the possibility of applying and limiting such alternative approaches to the implementation of social policy as the targeting of social protection for the poor, as well as the introduction of a universal basic income for all members of society. The advantages of modernization of social policy on the basis of the concept of social inclusion are proved. The author's interpretation of the content of social inclusion is offered. The author's vision of social inclusion is that it is not just the opposite of social exclusion, but a desirable state when all members of society have ample opportunity and access to consumption of goods, ownership of resources, management processes for full participation in all spheres of public life, that is, in the economic, social, public and political spheres. According to the author’s definition of social inclusion’s essence, the three most important forms of its manifestation are identified. They are: access to resources, distribution of income and property; labor and business activities; participation in public administration. It is social inclusion shifts the emphasis on human development, supporting people’s well-being, reducing poverty and inequality. It aims at more active participation in the economy and GDP.