Abstract: This article discusses the topic of identity in the religious philosophy of N. Berdyaev. The author emphasizes the importance of this topic for the philosopher alongside the problematic of freedom and creativity. Emphasis is placed on the existential-religious traditions of Berdyaev’s philosophy, which views a particular individual in his relation to the society and history. According to Berdyaev, an individual is a puzzle not as an organism or social being, but as the identity; the spiritual aspect alone does not depend or determined by the society, which indicates its freedom, although not absolute. The conclusion is made on the relevance of philosophical reflections of N. Berdyaev for the modern state of social development. The author comes into line with the prophetic ideas of the philosopher on the approaching process of dehumanization in spheres of cultural and social life, and namely, dehumanization of moral consciousness. A human fades out as an integral, internally centered, spiritually focused being, who retains cohesion and unity. The author is forced to acknowledge the transformation of moral and ethical values of society, loss of innate thinking, increasing dependence on popular culture and consumer ideology, undermined faith in the future and self-confidence.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the process of formation of civil society. The author presents a comparative analysis of the Western and Russian models. Based on such positions as the stance on private property, peculiarities of social community, agency of social transformations and source of social initiatives, the article highlights the key characteristics of the two described models. Particular attention is turned to the problem of personal spiritual and economic freedom as one of the fundamental factors for the establishment of civil society. The author outlines its external and internal determinants. The research methodology is based on the comparative analysis of the Western and Russian models of the formation of civil society, considering the specifics of cultural and historical context. The Russian model of civil society, being functionally identical to the Western, represents a peculiar social phenomenon, differed by the type and genesis. Within the national context, civil society acquires a unique content, defined by nature and dynamics of interaction between the government and people. In this regard, the formation of mentality of a Russian person is of particular significance.

Abstract: This article examines the idea of establishment of the modern conceptual model for managing professionalism of the municipal officials. Based on the results of sociological survey, it is proven that the classical model in its traditional form does not quite correspond with the current social challenges, as well as new social expectation referred to the government institutions. The author outlines the conceptual basis for managing professionalism of the municipal officials as a social process, structured with consideration of the effective and adequate to modern trends modified system of human relations. The article presents the results of in-depth interview conducted in the city of Novokuznetsk (Kemerovo Region) in January 2019. The respondents were a small group of experts (46 people) who play a significant role in political and economic life of the city. The main conclusions lie in the schematically presented conceptual basis for managing professionalism of the municipal officials as a social process, structured considering the effective and adequate to current realities modified system of human relations. In the author’s opinion, it should be based on comparative analysis of stable representations of population in the functional-role designation, worldview priorities and behavioral stereotypes of the municipal officials; as well as the character of relationship between the professional group and society, substantiated by the need to respect social norms and rules of professional activity, built on the principle of professionalism.