Social policy in ensuring social progress

Abstract

Introduction. The samples of social policies in the United States or European countries are not obligatory for implementation in the Ukrainian economy. However, their essence and corresponding characteristics, such as objectives, objects, subjects, functions, principles, must be scientifically substantiated and legislatively regulated, taking into account historical and national patterns and conditions of development. The purpose of the paper is the substantiation of the essence of "social policy" with an emphasis on its key directions and primary criteria in the context of ensuring social progress. Results. Social policy is a multifaceted and diverse concept, ranging from social protection of the population to the coverage of Human capital contributes to social progress through intellectual development, rather than solely manifesting in the growth of the population's income all social spheres. The author has provided a theoretical justification of social policy as a comprehensive concept that should encompass all aspects of social life: social, economic, political - necessary components for human potential development. Conclusion. Social policy should promote individual human development. Through empirical and theoretical research, the distinctive features of social policy have been summarized and characterized, allowing for an examination of the state of social policy in Ukraine in terms of individual human development on the path to social progress. A hypothesis regarding the harmonization of individualization and socialization elements in the concept of "social policy" is presented. One of the directions of social policy implementation should be the development of the individual. However, the state should be an accessible platform for providing relevant information, creating and supporting projects for achieving individual goals, and guaranteeing their realization.