ABSTRACT
The development of the concept of social rights in the very specific context of Russia before, during and after the Soviet period requires thorough examination for two reasons. First, the way in which this concept and ideas surrounding the provision of public welfare have developed in Russia has in many respects been radically different to developments in social policy in Western Europe over the course of the twentieth century in particular. Second, the Soviet concept of social rights which was developed over a period of more than 70 years appears to retain some power in terms of how the Russian respondents involved in this study interpreted the meaning and significance of these and other human rights. The Russian political system, including the system of public welfare provided by the state, has undergone rapid and enormous change since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
