The term of social state (Sozialstaat) is found among the basic constitutional principles in many modern states. It is also contained in Article 2 of the Slovenian constitution, together with the rule of law principle, immediately after the principle of democratic republic. Within this thesis, author strives to discover the meaning of the principle of social state in relation to other basic principles of the constitutional order of Republic of Slovenia. It is an abstract principle, which is further concretized by the elements of social state, as derived within the case-law of the constitutional court and by legal doctrine. The main addressee of the principle is the democratically elected legislative body, which enjoys margin of appreciation, when intervening in the society and economy with social measures. However, it is bound by certain limitations; the parliament shall adhere to the minimal level of constitutional social rights or their core. Especially, it shall ensure the existential minimum of every human person, respecting human dignity, thus complying with the core quality of the constitutional principle of social state. The understanding of principle of social state in light of the democratic order of the state and the rule of law principle demonstrates that Slovenia is a social (constitutional) democracy as well as a social state governed by the rule of law. Thus, the principle of social state can manifest itself in Slovenian constitutional order only in accordance with other basic constitutional principles.
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