Social justice — the basis of public accord in modern society (Part 2)

Since the beginning of socio-economic transformations (1991), the state system has changed, but the concept of the essence of social justice established over the years of socialism has been preserved. This circumstance is crucial for mutual understanding and consent in our society. All subsequent events up to voting on the constitutional amendments (2020), convincingly testify in favor of the statement made. These amendments are a specific invention that opens up the possibility for the government to relieve constantly increasing tension for some time. The fact is that since the departure of tsarism from the historical scene (based on the divine origin of its power), the Constitution represents the country as a state ruled rule by law and in fact performs the function of a social contract. Therefore, according to the established tradition, a change of power always entails constitutional transformations. At the same time, everyone understands that there is a gap between the well-written constitutional norms and the reality of life in the country, which allows the government to rule at their own discretion. At the same time, the possibilities for maneuvering are far from unlimited. Both the constitutional amendments and the actions of the authorities during the period of self-isolation show a reverse movement towards socialist distributional relations. This is an inevitable payment for the use of market mechanisms in society, for which, even many years after the start of reforms, distribution relations serve as the main criterion for social justice. By initiating such amendments, the government show their concern and desire at least to look like wishing to restore social justice, and with it to increase trust, harmony, and cohesion in the society.