State social assistance based on a social contract
The article touches upon the issue of the state social assistance based on a social contract mechanism, reveals the categories of recipients and forms of social assistance. In order to implement an active social policy that guarantees citizens their social rights and sufficient welfare, the state needs to continuously develop and take new measures for preventing and reducing poverty. The consequences of Russia's forced transition to a market economy have led to an increase in poverty. Despite the political stabilization and positive changes in the country's economy that increases incomes of the population and budget expenditures for social payments, the problem of state assistance for indigent persons within the framework of reducing the socio-economic differentiation of the population is one of the high-priority areas of state social policy. To increase the effectiveness of the provision and expansion of targeted social assistance, state programs are being implemented. They provide for the creating conditions for the employable to facilitate their independent way out from the category of low-income group, including through the use of innovative technologies. The social contract is one of these technologies, the introduction and usage of that is designed for improving the quality of life, optimization the government social spending through targeted delivery, and reduction of poverty. The article presents the results of the study that determine the degree of citizens` awareness about the technology of the social contract. The problematic aspects of its implementation are identified, as well as recommendations for improving the process of applying the social contract mechanism in Russia are proposed, which make it possible to increase the effectiveness of the social protection system of the population and the general socio-economic level of citizens.