The article is devoted to the analysis of socio-economic factors of formation and development of citizenship. Two approaches of classics of sociology – K. Marx and E. Durkheim to socio-economic determination of phenomena of civil relations are considered. The problem of citizenship is of particular importance in modern Russian society due to its specifi c understanding. The phenomenon of citizenship is a complex phenomenon and arouses scientifi c interest, however, in sociological measurement, the main diffi culty is associated with methodological problems of its study. The theory of socio-economic determinism of K. Marx and the paradigm of E. Durkheim on social solidarity as a basic condition of citizenship are among the established approaches. A special place belongs to justice as an indicator of solidarity and a regulator of civil relations in the structure of socio-economic determinants of citizenship. According to our approach, citizenship is always associated with property relations and alienation of a person from property hinders the development of civil potential. Social justice as a moral basis of civil solidarity requires searching for acceptable forms within the framework of the civil dialogue. The modern concept of social justice was revealed on the basis of the results of Russian citizens` survey and the data from offi cial sources. The survey of Russians showed opposing ideas about social justice among representatives of diff erent social groups.