System of social support for unprotected and poor people in the Kaluga province, 1860s – 1914: regional features, promising directions and source base of research

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the approaches of the state and society to the organization of mechanisms of social support of the population from the 60s of the XIX century to the beginning of the XX century, used in the Kaluga province. The relevance of the study is determined by the significance of finding effective mechanisms of social support for vulnerable segments of the population with a view to their possible application in current realities. Materials and methods. The article raises the issue of identifying and expanding the source base for conducting research. In this study, various types of sources are considered to ensure the possibility of an objective approach to understanding the operation of existing support mechanisms for those in need. Comparative-historical, statistical and other methods of scientific research were used in the work. Results. The main types of sources that allow an objective assessment of the state of the social sphere in the Kaluga province, one of the typical provinces of Central Russia, are identified. The general situation of the said province in the sphere of social support is considered. The main approaches to solving a number of social problems have been studied. In his research, the author comes to the conclusion that the post–reform period became a key one in the history of solving issues of social assistance - public charity in the Russian Empire, when part of the responsibilities for supervision in the social sphere were transferred to the jurisdiction of the subjects of the Russian Empire themselves by partially transferring the mechanisms for providing support to the zemstvos and benefactors in need. It is established that in the Kaluga province, a significant part of the work on creating conditions for solving the social issue has been transferred to the management of private capital. Special attention is paid by the author to the regional peculiarities of solving the issue of social support for vulnerable segments of the population in the Kaluga province. The most promising direction in the comprehensive study of the system of social support for vulnerable segments of the population in the Kaluga province is outlined.