Concept of welfare state: from idea to practice

In article various senses of welfare state stated by authors in the form of social idea, the scientific doctrine, foundations of the constitutional system, the principle of the Russian statehood and social practice are analyzed. The special attention is paid to specific of constitutional and legal regulation of institute of the welfare state in the Russian Federation and the certain states of Europe. The conclusion about long-termconstruction of the welfare state in the Russian Federation is formulated.