Abstract:
"State functions" is the basic scientific category of the theory of state and law that was established in the legal science
through the evolution of legal, political and philosophical thought. The study of the main activities (state functions) is possible
only in combination with other categories, such as state aims and state tasks, the reconceptualization of which caused the
establishment of the scientific category "state functions". The purpose of the article is an in-depth analysis of the evolution of
legal and political thought about the aims, tasks and functions of the state, the result of which is reflected in the novelty,
which is to establish at the scientific level, the ratio of aims, tasks and functions of the state in different historical periods, and
the formation of "state functions" as an important scientific category, which ensures the implementation of the social purpose
of the state. The establish and transformation of scientific views coincides with historical epochs, which corresponded to the
realities characteristic of a certain historical period. The state aims responded to the real social status and remained a philosophical
category, because they did not find practical implementation, which was explained by the low development of legal
science, and the law was not the main regulator of social relations. The revolutionary period in the development of the doctrine
of "state functions" was a Modern Period, which was characterized by the formation of constitutionalism and was associated
with European law schools. In addition to the establishment of new categories, such as state tasks and state functions.
Scientists of the Modern Period have been improved philosophical, abstract doctrine of the state goals and were laid the scientific
foundations of a democratic, liberal, rule of law state. In the research of the state functions, the great importance had
the work of domestic legal scholars of the late 19th – early 20th centuries, in which the whole state was finally formed as a political
category, which is reflected in the aims, and should be implemented through the function. As of today, the aims and
tasks have become correlated and express the social purpose of the state, which has found its consolidation at the constitutional
level. "State functions", having a relationship with the tasks ensure the implementation of its social purpose
