ISSN 2078-9823 (Print), ISSN 2587-7879 (Online)

DOI: 10.24412/2078-9823.070.025.202502.151-164

УДК 316.334.3+342.5

Stanislav A. Malchenkov1, Vladislav G. Fedorov2

1, 2 National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University (Saransk, Russia),

1 e-mail: stamal@yandex.ru

2 e-mail: thisisvladislav@mail.ru

 

The Concept of “Paternalism” in Foreign Social and Political Philosophy

 

Abstract

Introduction. The principles and mechanisms of paternalism in the sphere of public administration have remained in the focus of attention of foreign researchers for a long time. The reason for the actualization of paternalistic concepts in the socio-philosophical science of the 21st century is the search for answers to new challenges of the market economy, as well as the spiritual crisis of modern society.

Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the study was the axiological, historical-comparative and civilizational approaches. The relationship between the state and society was studied within the framework of the systemic, structural-functional and institutional approaches. The analysis of a wide range of concepts of foreign authors required the use of a hermeneutic paradigm.

Results. The ideas of paternalism as the “fatherly care” of the state originated in ancient times and were most comprehensively manifested in the philosophical views of Confucius and Aristotle. In the Modern Age, the content of the category was expanded in the context of the combination of the rights of the individual and the state in the works of J. Locke and I. Kant. The works of the most famous critic of paternalism, J. S. Mill, gave rise to numerous alternative interpretations of this concept. J. Dworkin developed a classification of the varieties of paternalism, in particular, highlighting its “hard” and “soft” forms, which are currently most actively studied in foreign science. The so-called «libertarian paternalism», also known as the “nudge theory”, has acquired particular significance. In modern research, four main approaches can be distinguished, considering paternalism as a rational-logical, cultural, legal and moral category.

Discussion and Conclusion. Comparing approaches to understanding the principles of paternalism, we note that the interpretation prevailing in domestic social and philosophical science is closest to the positions of Asian authors, many of whom also consider paternalism as a historical and civilizational phenomenon, the roots of which are associated with the provisions of religious teachings. In this regard, there are significant differences from the concepts of modern Western researchers, most of whom are focused on finding mechanisms to reduce the role of the state in society. In general, the need to develop a unified theory of paternalism seems obvious.

Keywords: paternalism, state paternalism, coercive paternalism, soft paternalism, libertarian paternalism, nudge theory, theory of justice, Confucianism, individual autonomy, “Nanny state”.

For citation: Malchenkov S. A., Fedorov V. G. The Concept of “Paternalism” in Foreign Social and Political Philosophy. Gumanitarian: aktual’nye problemy gumanitarnoi nauki i obrazovaniia = Russian Journal of the Humanities. 2025; 25(2): 151–164. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.24412/2078-9823.070.025.202502.151-164.

 

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