On the Concept and Objective Attributes of the National Interests

Abstract

The relevance of the subject matter in this article can be attributed to the growing interest in both scientific papers and legal acts. Despite the widespread use of this concept, there is no consensus in legal science regarding its precise definition or content.
 The purpose of this article is to develop scientific provisions that reflect the patterns of development and functioning of the states national interests. Thus, while developing this article, the author set the following principles: to define the concept of national interests, describe the stages of their definition, identify the objective properties of national interests, and reveal the characteristic features of the reflection of national interests in the strategic acts of the Russian Federation.
 However, while studying national interests, the dialectical method of cognition was used as a philosophical basis, as well as general scientific research methods such as ascending from the abstract to the concrete and the system-structural method. Additionally, specific scientific methods such as formal-legal were applied, and logical tools for knowledge, including analysis, synthesis, deduction, and induction.
 As a result, the following conclusions were drawn:
 1) national interests can be defined as the basis on which a states foreign and domestic policies are implemented; 2) when describing national interests, it is important to consider the interests of society; 3) to assess the national interest, it seems possible to note several objective properties such as social significance, sustainability, and reality; 4) within the strategic documents of the Russian Federation relating to national interests, there is an indication that the goal of realizing national interests, is to protect the constitutional rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens. These statements can be considered a benchmark against which specific decisions should be evaluated and assessed. This article was described within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation project No. 23-28-01457 Vectors for the development of law-making in the implementation of certain interests of Russia: problems and prospects.