The Essence and Content of the Constitutional Principle of Trust

Abstract

The article studies the substantive and essential features of the constitutional principle of trust. The positions and opinions formed in the scientific literature on the legal and social content of the principle of trust, on the category of “trust” in legislation and law enforcement practice are analyzed. The conclusion about one-sided approach in understanding of the mentioned principle as “the principle of maintaining citizens’ confidence in the law and actions of the state” is formulated. Recognizing the special importance of this aspect of this principle, the author believes that the content of the principle of mutual trust of the state and society includes four aspects: trust of citizens in the state, public authorities, their acts and actions; trust of the state in citizens, institutions of civil society, the results of their activities; trust in the system of public power (In the relationship of branches of power, bodies, officials, other subjects of public law); trust in the interaction of citizens, citizens and institutions of civil society. The totality of these four aspects form the content of the constitutional principle of trust, which has received textual expression as the principle of “mutual trust of the state and society” (Constitution of the Russian Federation Art. 75.1).