This scientific study raises the question of the ontological essence of the social state, which has become the most important feature of all developed democratic countries since World War II. In particular, the study of the origin and typology of the social state mediates the clarification of the distinctive features of social regulation in different countries of the world, which allows for a relevant scientific conclusion. Analysis of theoretical provisions on the social state contributes to the actualization of problems in the field of legal protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.