A Study of the Conceptual Characteristics of the Relationship between Law and Social Development

The paper examines problematic aspects of the interaction between law and social development. The author notes that academic interest in studying this issue has increased over the past two decades. It is emphasized that in most cases, doctrinal positions reflect the diversity of relations between law and social development. At the same time, legal scholars are still debating the following fundamental issues: is law an important factor determining the social and economic performance of a particular state; are there economic, political or sociocultural obstacles to effective law-making and law enforcement; what types of legal institutions contribute to the prosperity of society and how to optimize their activities? The author concludes that law is at the center of the research discourse of the practice of social development and the legal system is crucial for economic growth. In addition, the author analyzes the theoretical concepts of the priority of law for the prosperity of society, the need for a certain regulatory framework for economic growth and the reform of the system of legal institutions as a strategy for implementing social development programs.