The Evolution of Philosophical and Legal Concepts of the Relationship Between the State and Society: From Antiquity to German Classical Philosophy

Introduction: the problem of the relationship between civil society and the rule of law is one of the fundamental problems in socio-philosophical science. For centuries, thinkers from different eras have tried to comprehend the essence and mechanisms of interaction between citizens and state institutions. Each historical period has brought its own unique interpretations of these complex social phenomena, reflecting the centuries-old search for optimal forms of organizing socio-political life. Philosophers and political theorists sought to understand how a just society works, in which individual rights and freedoms are reliably protected, and state power acts in the interests of the people. The relevance of the research is due not only to its theoretical significance for understanding the evolution of political and legal thought, but also to the practical need to understand the transformational processes taking place in modern societies in the context of globalization, digitalization and the crisis of traditional institutions. Materials and Methods: the research uses a system of methods of scientific cognition: a comprehensive method, including historical and philosophical analysis, comparative historical, dialectical method, interdisciplinary method. Results: the article is a study of the genesis and development of theoretical ideas about civil society and the rule of law in the works of prominent philosophers from antiquity to German classical philosophy. The key concepts of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Machiavelli, Locke, Montesquieu, Kant and Hegel are analyzed. The article reveals the transformations of understanding the relationship between the state and civil society in various historical periods. Discussion and Conclusions: the author concludes that the understanding of civil society and the rule of law has evolved from ancient concepts of politics to complex dialectical concepts of Modern times. Each philosophical stage brought new meanings, revealing deeper and deeper aspects of the interaction of the individual, society and the state. The key trends of evolution are: strengthening the role of the individual, recognizing natural human rights, and affirming the principles of freedom, equality, and justice.