The Solidaristic State as a Guarantor of Social Justice in the Philosophy of I. A. Ilyin

Abstract

The article closely examines Ivan Ilyin’s views on the phenomenon of social justice in its relation to the state. The inability to establish the principles of social justice through a normative legal act as well as the contradictory nature of understanding justice by some individuals create a scenario in which the state, according to Ivan Ilyin, should result in solidarism based on the principles of natural law. In this regard, the political aspect of society is of particular importance, since the traditional way of conducting political activity is often associated with the implementation of the interests of the selected few or groups of individuals that go against the nationwide will. Among the main conclusions of this study is the idea that Ivan Ilyin highly valued the principles of the form of government, which is focused on the control of the inner processes in society, and the search for a unified national ideology for its implementation in politics. According to Ivan Ilyin, the state should not put itself above the law which it creates. Otherwise, it will not be able to take into account and express the interests of its citizens. That way social justice will forever remain unattainable and the political aspect of society will be a reason for dispute leading to the collapse of statehood itself.