Public Opinion As an Indicator of the Success of the Social Contract

The stable functioning of a democratic system is impossible without a well-established contractual system between the state and citizens. Contractual relations regulate important aspects such as political participation, influence of population on political and administrative decisions, implementation of rights and freedoms of citizens. In context of globalization, technological changes and social transformations, the social contract must be able to respond to new challenges and needs of society. The successful functioning of democratic institutions depends on internal consistency and adaptability of the social contract and its ability to integrate global trends and ensure sustainable development of society in a rapidly changing world as well.

This raises important question: how effective is the contractual system in European countries in maintaining the stability of state institutions and to what extent does it correspond to modern social transformations? One of the adaptation tools may be revision of legislative and political mechanisms, the strengthening of civil society institutions, and introduction of innovations.

In modern democracies, emphasis shifts to ensuring individual rights and freedoms, as well as recognizing the uniqueness and dignity of each person. This reflects a more complex understanding of the social contract, where state institutions must take into account not only collective interests, but also protect and support the rights of each citizen as part of a broader social mass. Modern approaches emphasize the need to integrate diverse interests and needs, thereby ensuring a more just society. In this context, the state becomes not just an arbitrator, but also an active defender of individual rights, promoting harmonious interaction between the individual and society.

Analysis of indicators collected by the regular Eurobarometer survey helps to assess the effectiveness of the existing European public administration system and identify opportunities for its optimization in the context of the demand for an update of the social contract.