The Modern Welfare State Essay - 2889 Words

Introduction Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, (UNDHR) legitimizes the socio-economic rights of citizens of all nations as stated below: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control† (Hartley Dean; 2004). The human subject is endemically vulnerable and to survive requires collective organized mechanism for mutual cooperation and support (Hartley Dean; 2004). To manage this endemic vulnerability the†¦show more content†¦A random Google search using the term â€Å"welfare state† will reveal multiple results. However the following three capture the essential elements across the social, economic and political schools of thoughts. They describe the welfare state as 1. A set of government program that attempt to provide economic security for populations by providing for the people when they are unemployed, ill or elderly. 2. A system whereby the state undertakes ostensibly to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial needs . 3. A state whose government devotes a very large proportion of its activities and expenditures to the direct provision of the personal benefits to be consumed by qualifying individuals or families, or governmental entities in the form of supplies, professional services, government issued stipends, allowances or subsidies. Central in all these definitions is the role of the state vis-à  -vis the citizens. The state has the responsibility to carter for its citizens irrespective of what the citizens do for the state. This means that the welfare state is not a give and take or a â€Å"two way game†. It is not based on any political agreement or pact between politicians, parties and the population to exchange votes in favour of welfare facilities. This should not be confused with the notion of a quasi-contract based on the principle of reciprocity, which places the emphasis on mutual obligation and responsibility between state andShow MoreRelatedLiberalism is define by the desire to minimise the role of the state, discuss.1515 Words   |  7 Pagesminimise the role of the state’ Discuss. Liberalism as an ideology revolves around the idea of freedom for the individual. The reason for this is due to the liberal’s view of human nature; they see the human being as unique and rational; able to make decisions in their best interest. Although all liberals agree on individual freedom, when it comes to the role of the state they are split down the middle. 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