Abstract: The paper discusses theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the diagnosis of social capital. The analysis of existing approaches to the study of social capital is carried out. The relevance of the consideration of social capital from the perspective of taking into account socio-cultural changes taking place in society is substantiated. A methodological tool for assessing social capital is proposed, characterized by the integrative nature of the use of statistical and sociological indicators. The list of the main diagnostic indicators of the social capital of the region is systematized and presented. Based on the analysis of the results of sociological research, an approximately equal level of closed and open social capital in the Republic of Bashkortostan was revealed, as well as a relatively low level of institutional trust. The necessity of strengthening social cohesion on the basis of increasing trust in interpersonal, intergroup relations, as well as in relations between society and state institutions is proved. The results of a sociological study conducted in 2021 were used as the methodological basis of the study. Institute of the History of Language and Literature of the UFIC RAS and the sociological survey of scientists of the Ufa Research Center of the RAS (Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan) (2023) conducted with the direct participation of the author. The novelty lies in the fact that the methodological tools for assessing social capital are proposed, characterized by the integrative nature of the use of statistical and sociological indicators, which allows for the diagnosis of social capital at 3 levels: institutional, corporate and individual levels. The use of such tools will allow measuring the effects of social capital on socio-economic development, as well as identifying communities with high and low levels of social capital, identifying social groups that are in a vulnerable position with respect to social capital. Obtaining such data contributes to the development of systematic and targeted measures aimed at increasing the level of social capital and increasing the efficiency of its use. The low level of institutional trust is revealed, the need to increase the level of social cohesion as a basis for strengthening the relationship between society and state institutions is substantiated.

Abstract: This article presents some results of studying the problem of poverty among working population from the perspective of deprivation approach. The author analyzes the used approaches towards assessment of poverty, substantiates the viability of deprivation approach and its potential utilization for more comprehensive research of households within the poverty level in the current Russian conditions. The article displays the advantaged of deprivation approach that consists in its linkage to the average living standards in the country, and possibility of assessment of flaws in meeting a wide variety of needs of the households and an individual. A list of deprivations according to which was distinguished the group of population within poverty level is described. The author determines essential differences in assessments of the representatives of “working poor population” distinguished on the grounds of deprivations from other groups of respondents. The conducted analysis allowed revealing the alienation of the group of poor people based on deprivations from the entire population, their essential exclusion from the everyday life of the society. The author underlines that poor people distinguished on the grounds of deprivations are limited not only financially and in sources for overcoming financial difficulties, but the problem of their poverty also worsens by psychological peculiarities of such people – constant deprivations form the “psychology of a poor man”, characterized by insecurities, complacence, and no desire to strive for improvement.