Democracy and social policy in a digital network society. The reality of the present and the image of the future

In recent decades, in the context of the formation of a new reality, social policy in many countries has been turned into a factor of political struggle, used as means of manipulation and propaganda. The authorities are pursuing a policy that is contrary to the essence of the social state and meets the interests of the dominant political and economic groups, with an excessively high level of social inequality. Such a model is politically dangerous and socially destructive. Meanwhile, the issue of social justice is returning to the political agenda. A digital network society cannot afford large social gaps, since its stability may suffer due to openness, as it is less consolidated. The task of political power is to approach the formation and implementation of policy in this area with special responsibility, because in the era of digital networks society is under the threat of mass social exclusion. Meanwhile, society effectively solves development problems, strengthens and grows, becomes more united only in conditions of genuine democracy.