Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences

TYPES OF LEGAL INSTRUMENTS FOR ENSURING THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF THE STATE AND THEIR FEATURES

Khrystyna Dzhura — 2025-08-13

The article provides a thorough general theoretical analysis of the types of legal instruments for ensuring the social function of the state, in particular prohibitions, obligations and guarantees, which are considered key legal elements of the implementation of social policy in the context of modern complex social challenges, in particular taking into account martial law. It is substantiated that the above-mentioned legal instruments form the boundaries of permitted behavior and determine specific zones of state intervention in the social sphere, contributing to the stability of the social environment in the context of ensuring social legal standards. Prohibitions are characterized as a tool of preventive influence that prevents violations of social rights by establishing clear legal restrictions. Obligations are interpreted as an active form of implementing a social function, designed to ensure the effective fulfillment by the state of its social obligations to various segments of the population. The article draws attention to the need for a clear normative formulation of obligations to ensure unambiguous application of law and avoid value judgments. A separate analysis is devoted to guarantees that determine the mandatory nature of state actions to ensure social rights, in particular in crisis or non-standard situations. Guarantees are considered as a tool that accumulates obligations and prohibitions, and also ensures the unconditional implementation of the social function of the state. The specifics of each of the features of legal instruments for ensuring the social function of the state are formulated and analyzed. It is proven that legal instruments operate systematically in interaction, complementing each other depending on the scope of application.

THE ROLE OF COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE IN ENSURING THE RIGHT TO HEALTH PROTECTION

Nijat Rafael Hasanov — 2025-08-13

This article examines the role of compulsory health insurance in the realization of the right to health protection in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The right to health protection is recognized as an integral part of fundamental human rights, enshrined both in the national Constitution and in international legal instruments. However, the effective implementation of this right requires not only legal recognition but also functional mechanisms, including a sustainable and inclusive health insurance system. Since 2020, the introduction of compulsory health insurance in Azerbaijan has aimed to enhance access to healthcare services and improve public health outcomes. Nevertheless, issues such as regional disparities, inadequate funding models, personnel shortages, and service quality concerns continue to hinder the system's efficiency. The article explores the legal and institutional causes of these challenges and emphasizes the need for reforms within the existing legislative framework.

THE ROLE OF MEDICAL-SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ETHICAL COMMISSIONS IN THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AZERBAIJAN

Sevda Aydin Karimova — 2025-08-13

After gaining independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan has been carrying out a series of reforms to bring the Soviet sosialist economic, political, legal and administrative system in line with advanced world standards, reconstruction and modern scientific bases, creating a legislative framework for all these processes. The policy of transition from a totalitarian system to a democratic system, creating the foundations of a socially oriented market economy, ensuring social protection and protection of human rights, achieving serious national and spiritual unity had to go through difficult stages and be subjected to pressure from various political forces. In our opinion, the most difficult area in the implementation of social policy, which should provide everyone and everyone, is closely linked with the protection of public health, social protection and the creation of decent living conditions. Today, the world's best practices are being studied, the positive traditions formed over the years are being preserved, new technologies and management models are being tested, improved and applied to the new environment. At present, Azerbaijan is in the process of establishing ethical commissions for medical and scientific research to protect and ensure human rights, especially for patients rights. They need to be developed and a number of measures taken to ensure the sustainability of their work. The main directions of the initial steps are to develop a strategic plan for the establishment and organization of ethical commissions in the country to ensure sustainable and systematic activities, to conduct a needs analysis with the participation of experts in the field of scientific research, researchers and members of the ethics commission. Providing trainings in accordance with the results of needs analysis, as well as training of trainers, preparation of scientific literature and materials, formation of methodological aids, increase of knowledge and skills of officials working in the field of ethics commissions, establishment of civil society institutions in the field of bioethics, public awareness there is a need to increase. We hope that the activities and efforts of Azerbaijani health workers and lawyers in the field of bioethics, deontology, medical law and ethics will contribute to serious reforms in medicine and health in the country.

SIMPLIFIED TAXATION SYSTEM: A RETROSPECTIVE OF CAUSAL RELATIONS OF THREATS TO UKRAINE'S TAX SECURITY

Pavlo Kolomiiets — 2025-08-13

The Constitution of Ukraine regulates only one, single taxation system. The Constitution of Ukraine does not mention the plurality of taxation systems. However, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated 03.07.1998 No. 727/98, another taxation system was introduced – a simplified one, which was intended to facilitate business, in particular for small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, in modern conditions, the simplified taxation system raises concerns about its impact on the tax security of the state. Tax security is a component of the country's economic security and provides for timely, full and stable receipt of tax payments to budgets of all levels. However, there is an opinion that the current mechanisms for the functioning of the simplified taxation system create certain gaps in the taxation system, which may contribute to tax evasion, reduce fiscal efficiency and threaten the stability of the budget system. In this regard, the need for a systematic review of the principles of the functioning of the simplified taxation system is becoming more urgent in order to ensure its compliance with the principles of tax security, which may include reforming or even eliminating this system.

DETERMINATION OF THE HABITUAL RESIDENCE OF A CHILD IN CROSS-BORDER CASES ON PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD PROTECTION MEASURES

Olena Sushch — 2025-08-13

The article examines the concept "habitual residence of a child" in cross-border cases regarding parental responsibility and child protection measures and its significance for Private International Law. The author highlights the problematic aspects of determining the "habitual residence of a child" of children displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine. The current state of legal regulation of the concept of habitual residence of a child following the legislation of Ukraine and international acts, specifically, the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention, has been analyzed. The legal position of the Supreme Court (Ukraine) on the procedure for determining the habitual residence of a child is considered.

CURRENT TRENDS IN LEGAL REGULATION OF CRYPTOCURRENCY PAYMENTS

Vitalii Volynets — 2025-08-13

The purpose of the article is to examine current trends in the legal regulation of payments involving cryptocurrency, with a focus on Ukrainian and international practices. The study begins with a historical and technological overview of cryptocurrency development, emphasizing Bitcoin’s emergence and the underlying blockchain technology. Special attention is given to the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Virtual Assets”, highlighting both its strengths and legal gaps, particularly regarding the definitions and regulation of virtual asset issuers. The author argues for the urgent need to improve Ukraine’s legal infrastructure to ensure both investor protection and international integration. The work contributes to the broader understanding of how digital finance is reshaping modern legal systems, while also posing serious challenges for law enforcement and policymakers.

FEATURES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Anna Byhar — 2025-08-13

Modern requirements for a higher education teacher have not only increased, but also changed radically. The new situation in society and the education system requires the training of a new type of teachers, capable of working effectively and productively in constantly changing conditions. Now a teacher needs not only to have a high level of general culture, psychological and pedagogical competence, but also to take an unconventional approach to solving various psychological and pedagogical situations, to organize their own activities on a creative basis. It is generalized that psychological and pedagogical training of pedagogical personnel consists of a set of areas of psychological, theoretical and practical training, the main principles of which are a value-based attitude towards the subjects of the educational system, a focus on flexibility and selfdevelopment; integration of fundamental and humanitarian professionally significant knowledge; formation of skills to plan and implement the pedagogical process in accordance with the conditions of the educational system. The psychological and pedagogical competence of higher education applicants is considered as an integrative quality that reflects the formation of a positive attitude towards education, the presence of formed scientific and theoretical, psychological and pedagogical, didactic and methodological knowledge and skills of their application in professional activity. It is concluded that in forming the content of professional training of pedagogical personnel, it is necessary to integrate fundamental training and professionally directed psychological and pedagogical training; to coordinate the goal of professional and pedagogical training of pedagogical personnel with the general goal of professional education; to ensure the unity of the main components of the training of pedagogical personnel (general cultural, psychological and pedagogical and subject-technical).

APPROACHES TO THE ORGANIZATION OF SOCIAL-PEDAGOGICAL WORK WITH AT RISK AND YOUNG FAMILIES

Ilakha Shikhaliyeva — 2025-08-13

The establishment of social-pedagogical practices within the family unit is particularly critical in the context of incomplete and newly formed families. Problematic families, often constituting an extension of young families, tend to carry unresolved challenges, which subsequently become exacerbated over time. This article undertakes an examination of the organization of social-pedagogical interventions in Azerbaijani families, taking into consideration the historical trajectory of family development and the specific issues arising therein. Drawing on biographical research methods and survey data, the study analyzes the primary contradictions experienced within problematic and young families. The paper further explores the trajectories of modern family formation and delineates the roles of individual family members in maintaining intra-familial relationships in accordance with established social norms and value systems. The character of these relationships is reflected in the psychological attributes and the upbringing of each family member. A considerable body of literature has addressed the impact of these variables on the moral and psychological well-being of the family. Family typologies are frequently classified according to levels of moral, psychological, and emotional tension, thus differentiating between problematic and functional (or normative) families. Both categories may encompass complete (two-parent) and single-parent households – formed due to spousal death, divorce, or extramarital childbirth, among other factors. By employing the biographical method in the analysis of intrafamilial dynamics, it becomes possible to identify potential solutions to existing challenges and to conceptualize future developmental trajectories for such family structures. The findings indicate that variables such as the spouses’ age, their marital experience, and the nature of their premarital conduct significantly influence intra-familial interactions. It is well recognized that public consciousness is shaped by diverse stereotypes and varying societal perceptions. The study investigates attitudes across different social groups towards conflict in young families and, in particular, toward the phenomenon of early marriage. It concludes that one of the principal responsibilities of the social pedagogue is to foster informed and socially responsible attitudes among youth regarding family and marriage, and to facilitate the formation of culturally appropriate normative frameworks.

INTEGRATING INTERCULTURAL PRAGMATIC COMPETENCE INTO UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ENGLISH TEACHING: CHALLENGES AND PEDAGOGICAL DIRECTIONS

Tetiana Stepykina — 2025-08-13

In today’s globalized business environment, linguistic accuracy alone no longer suffices for professional success. University Business English instruction must also cultivate intercultural pragmatic competence – the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately across diverse cultural contexts. Despite this necessity, current curricula often neglect this dimension. This article investigates the extent to which Business English instruction at Ukrainian universities incorporates intercultural pragmatics. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combines textbook analysis and instructor interviews to evaluate the treatment of pragmatic elements. Results reveal a consistent lack of explicit instruction, underprepared educators, and an overreliance on supplementary materials. Teachers recognize the importance of pragmatic competence but lack adequate training and institutional support. The study analyzed 45 tasks across three commonly used textbooks and interviewed ten instructors at public and private universities in Ukraine. The article concludes with pedagogical recommendations including pragmatic task integration, use of authentic discourse, and teacher development programs.

FEATURES OF THE PROFESSIONAL-PEDAGOGICAL COMPETENCE OF A MEDICAL UNIVERSITY LECTURER

Yuliia Yevtushenko — 2025-08-13

The article analyses the features of professional and pedagogical competence of medical higher education institution lecturers in modern conditions of dynamic changes in education and increasing requirements for the quality of training future medical specialists. Key components of this competence are identified, including professional knowledge, pedagogical mastery, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. Special attention is paid to specific aspects of medical education, such as the integration of clinical knowledge with teaching through case methods and simulation training, ethical and empathetic teaching, the use of modern technologies, the role of mentorship in forming clinical thinking, and cultural competence in the context of globalisation. Based on the analysis of literature and practices, global trends are summarised, modern challenges are outlined, and practical strategies are proposed for developing a competent lecturer capable of effectively meeting the needs of modern medicine. The conclusions emphasise the need for continuous improvement of professional and pedagogical competence to meet the requirements of modern medical education and stress the necessity of investment in the professional development of lecturers.

THE INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN CULTURE ON AZERBAIJANI DAILY LIFE IN THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES

Garanfil Asadova — 2025-08-13

This article examines the influence of European culture on the daily life of Azerbaijanis during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The study explores the integration of European elements into Azerbaijani society against the backdrop of cultural relations between Europe and Azerbaijan, the Enlightenment movement, the development of the oil industry, and socio-economic transformations. Transformations in education, women's literacy, clothing, dining culture, and interior-exterior design are analyzed through historicalcomparative and ethnographic approaches. The article argues that European influence was initially adopted by the upper classes and was met with resistance in the early stages. However, over time, it evolved into a catalyst for socio-modern development processes. The synthesis of Eastern and Western values in Azerbaijani society led to the formation of new domestic habits and traditions.

INTERACTIVE CINEMA ON DVD IN THE DISCOURSE OF AUDIOVISUAL ART

Olexander Poberailo — 2025-08-13

This article examines interactive DVD cinema (late 1990s–mid-2000s) as an artistic phenomenon. Using art historical analysis, case studies, and comparison with the FMV format, the research explores its evolution within audiovisual and interactive media. Key results include identifying how DVD technology's capabilities (capacity, non-linear access) enabled the format, while remote control and DVD-Video limitations constrained interactivity design and aesthetics. A typology of interactive narrative strategies (nodal branching, parallel, labyrinth, environment-based) is proposed, and differences from FMV in technology, interactivity, narrative, and cultural positioning are highlighted. This study represents the first systematic art historical analysis of the format. It concludes that interactive DVDs were a unique, shortlived experimental stage influencing later interactive media. Future research directions involve in-depth case studies and digital preservation.

DIGITAL ASPECTS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE: EXPERIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Elvin I. Azizbayov — 2025-08-13

This study analyzes the experience of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of digital governance and good governance. The integration of digital technologies into public administration has enabled the implementation of good governance principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and efficiency in a more effective and inclusive manner. The article presents the conceptual foundations of digital governance based on the theoretical frameworks of international organizations (World Bank, UNDP, OECD) and scholars (Jane Fountain, Manuel Castells, Merilee Grindle, Francis Fukuyama). Azerbaijan’s institutional steps in this field – including ASAN Service, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Electronic Government Development Center, the Digital Trade Hub, and the Cyber Security Service – demonstrate a systematic approach to the digitalization process. Statistical indicators, the ASAN Service Index, and examples of top-rated digital services are used to illustrate the concrete outcomes of digital governance. The article concludes that digitalization is not merely a technological process but a structural reform that brings qualitative change to citizen–government relations. Azerbaijan’s experience provides an important example for developing countries in transforming digital governance into a core component of good governance.

PECULIARITIES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL MEMORY POLICY ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE MONUMENT TO CATHERINE II IN ODESA

Artem Kartashov — 2025-08-13

Given the revision of the approach to assessing national memory policy and its consideration as a component of national security, an important task for the state is to rethink approaches to shaping the public space of Ukrainian cities. This requires analyzing the entire existing structure of governing bodies, the legislative framework, and specific cases related to the symbols of Russian imperial policy. This is especially true in cities that are the subject of increased attention from Russia. In particular, in Odesa, the example of the monument to Catherine II is one of the most striking in highlighting the problematic issues of Ukraine's approach to public administration in the field of national memory policy. While studying the issues of public administration in the field of national memory in Ukraine on the example of the monument to Catherine II in Odesa, the author gained access to archival documents of local self-government bodies, studied open and news data, as well as existing case law and legislation of Ukraine, current and past, which allows systematizing the identified shortcomings and suggesting ways to address them at the legislative level.

FORMATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY AS A FACTOR OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION IN UKRAINE

Mykola Ivanov — 2025-08-13

Nowadays in Ukraine, the issues of forming favorable conditions for the further formation and development of civil society are becoming increasingly important. This is due to the fact that successes in the development of civil society directly affect the acquisition by the entire system of public management of an optimal state that is capable of preserving the integrity of modern Ukrainian society and ensuring its security. The objective assessment of the steps taken in this direction and a theoretical justification of the substantive content of this phenomenon are crucial in the implementation of the tasks of further development of all components of civil society in modern Ukraine. Today, a certain understanding and some approaches to interpreting both the process of evolution of modern civil society and the most important tasks of modernization of the entire public administration system have developed in the scientific space.

MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Ulfat Mehdiyev — 2025-08-13

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the development of the economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Over the past decade, the country has significantly improved its tourism infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for the development of external and internal tourism. Rich natural resources, cultural heritage, the development of various types of tourism attract tourists from different countries and create excellent conditions for recreation, travel, educational experience and cultural exchange. The country hosts international festivals, sports events, summits and conferences of global scale. All this emphasizes the priority direction of tourism development as an important sector of the economy. Thanks to the development of tourism, new jobs are created, the economic situation of the population improves, and professional personnel appear in various areas of tourism. The country pays special attention to the principles of sustainability during the planning and implementation of tourism projects. This also applies to large-scale infrastructure projects in the 20% of the territory of Karabakh and adjacent regions liberated from occupation by Armenia.

MODERN TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS OF DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY IN THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Shovkat Mustafazade — 2025-08-13

The main stage of the sustainable development strategy of developing a country is the assessment of the current s+tate and the identification of dominant trends in demographic, economic, environmental, and social development. Sustainable development is a complicated, multifaceted, and multi-factor dynamic process, which occurs with varying intensity across many countries around the world. In this regard, it is a long-term process that requires extensive scientific and empirical research, especially in matters related to demographic development and the evaluation of the dynamics and size of the population. The primary regulatory mechanism lies in the demographic policy implemented in the country and the adoption of longterm measures that should meet the needs of the population to maintain economic stability and social and political security globally. This article presents the main directions of Azerbaijan's demographic policy aimed at creating a sustainable and inclusive society.

STRIKES AND SABOTAGE ACTIONS IN WESTERN UKRAINE (1926–1929): DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY-POLITICAL CONTEXTS OF SOVIET INFLUENCE ON THE POLISH STATE

Andrii Shchehlov — 2025-08-13

Between 1916 and 1926, protest and sabotage actions took place in the territories of Western Ukraine, actively supported and fueled by the Soviet Union. This process involved special services operating illegally, which carried out counterintelligence activities and developed an agent network within Ukrainian circles. The aim of this network was to obstruct the functioning of the state administrations of the Polish Republic. Socio-economic slogans were used as a cover for organizing destructive actions by activists of the Communist Party of Western Ukraine, the legal association "Sel–rob," pro-Soviet trade unions, and public organizations. The author seeks to conduct a source-based and historiographical analysis of this influence, also examining the USSR's diplomatic and military-political efforts.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF THE SOCIAL ROLES OF YOUNG AND ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS

Yegana Fakhrad Yagublu — 2025-08-13

The article highlights that the current psychological environment of young families is shaped by family roles and mutual relationships regulated through new traditions that arise from the variation between traditionalism and modernity. The role of the elderly in forming the family environment is mostly grounded in national customs, values, conventional interactions and ethnocultural perspectives. In contemporary young families, where the old and the new cultural elements are intertwined and mutual understanding between the generations is anticipated, the psychological atmosphere tends to be favorable. The author underlines that the psychological environment of a family is determined by the conditions created for social development of youth, children and the elderly, positive interpersonal relations within the family, the leadership style of the head of the family, hierarchical connections among members, individual character traits, behavioral norms, the extent to which role expectations are fulfilled and other factors. A favorable psychological atmosphere in a young family depends not only on the elderly but also on the young themselves. In families where young members openly express their inner emotions are able to voice and share their needs and desires, the interpersonal relations and consequently the psychological climate tend to be more harmonious. Likewise, whether a woman or a man, having the intention and ability to reflect on their behavior, thoughts, and the mistakes or correct actions within relationships plays a regulatory role in the social-psychological environment of the family. In such a context, mutual understanding, empathy and compromise emerge within the family, both parties become more reflective, tensions and conflicts decrease. Whether the psychological environment of young families is favorable also depends on whether the family is nuclear or extended. Psychological disruption may occur less frequently in nuclear families compared to extended ones, but this is not always the case. Some extended families may have a more favorable psychological atmosphere than nuclear ones. This implies that the factor regulating the psychological environment of a family does not necessarily stem from the direct presence of elderly individuals, but from the influence they exert.

THE ROLE OF THE ART OF TRANSLATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINE AND ASTRONOMY IN THE MULTICULTURAL ABBASID SOCIETY

Jamila Damırova Vagıf — 2025-08-13

The main aim of the article is to explore the impact of the expanding art of translation in the multicultural Abbasid society on the development of medicine and astronomy, and to examine the role of non- Arabs alongside Arabs in this field. Arab-Islamic culture and literature are not only the products of the Arab people, but also the intellectual and spiritual progress of many peoples. Especially after the Abbasids came to power, the role of non-Arab (Ajam) peoples in this culture increased even more. Also, the strengthening of the translation movement gave a powerful impetus to the development of science, Greek philosophical thought and Indo-Iranian thought penetrated into the depths of the Islamic religion. Their activity is reflected in the work of both Christian and Muslim authors. The article examines the multicultural society that arose in the Arab Caliphate during the Abbasid period, and also examines the role of Christian writers, scholars, and translators. One of the main factors driving the translation movement was society's need for science. Translators did not just translate, but studied, analyzed, interpreted what they translated, and then wrote their own works. Along with translated works, they also had several original works. Another reason why the translation movement was so widespread was the diversity of the ethnic composition of society. Thus, the cultural life in which the Persians, Turks, Greeks and Syrians, Jews and Copts play a role along with the Arabs inevitably creates the need to learn the cultural heritage of these peoples. This can be explained by the fact that the Abbasid caliphs were loyal to different cultures than their Umayyad predecessors.