The article discusses the features of the concept of cultural policy as a social system. In particular the authors notes that the culture as a system has six major manifestations: as an element of the quality of life of modern man; as part of creative economy; as a system of spiritual values, attitudes, orientations and motives of a human and other elements of society; as a creative process and the whole set of artistic activities; as cultural heritage; as an entire population of people who identify themselves with a particular social system based on common cultural traits ("cultural codes"). The article also provides an analysis of some of the definitions of cultural policy. Marked are milestones in the history of cultural policy and formulated are the basic features of the past seven cultural revolutions as qualitative changes in the role of culture in society. In particular noted that, currently, the culture is going through a period of "self-realization " and is on the verge of becoming a total social phenomenon. The article notes the connection of cultural policy with "high politics", as well as with innovation policy. The aspects of ideology as a cultural phenomenon are also considered. In addition, the paper focuses on the role of cultural policies in the modern economic development. In particular noted that the implementation of cultural policy stimulates the emergence of more creative people, which clearly leads to their interaction with entrepreneurs who, in turn, too, as a rule, are creative people, and entrepreneurship has all the necessary features of creative activity. In general, we can make a clear conclusion that cultural policy as a social system is manifested in all spheres of human activities, and culture as a system is gradually acquiring a comprehensive character.